Universal Orlando gets new attractions

New Spider-Man ride opens in MarchUniversal revealed plans Wednesday to add new attractions to its Orlando theme park this year as part of the company's celebration of its 100th anniversary. The main attraction is "Universal's Cinematic Spectacular," a nighttime light and pyrotechnics show, narrated by Morgan Freeman, that will project images from U movies onto three screens created by waterfalls in the middle of Universal Studios Florida's lagoon. The 20-minute show will bow this spring. "This is very much a big end-of-day spectacular," said Jim Timon, Universal Orlando's senior VP of entertainment. "This is the big show we send our guests off with, with the Universal brand and message and emotion and impact." Concept is similar to that of Disneyland's "World of Color," which has proved a big draw at California Adventure, especially with families -- and U is looking to attract more families to its own parks. Playing into that theme, Universal will also introduce in the spring a daily "Superstar Parade" featuring floats with characters from "Despicable Me," "Hop," "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Dora the Explorer." Each float is designed to work as its own show with effects and musical score that can be featured around the park when not in the parade. Universal parks only occasionally offered character parades, primarily during the holidays; they are a staple at Disney's locations. The nightly show and daily parade are the most notable additions since U opened the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" attraction in 2010. But Universal is in the midst of opening more rides and attractions in the Orlando resort's history, and they'll be featured in a new "Year to Be Here" campaign. An updated "Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man" ride, at Islands of Adventure, opens in March with new 4K-high-definition 3D digital technology, character designs, new ride effects and cameo from comicbook icon Stan Lee. "It's really a mind-boggling presentation, when you look at the imagery," said Mark Woodbury, prexy of Universal Creative for the company's theme parks. "When Spider-Man jumps onto the vehicle, you'll see every thread of his costume, and the details behind him are rich and deep and full and really spectacular." After already announcing plans to build a 3D ride based on "Despicable Me," U announced that "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" will open this summer and replace "Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast." Ride will feature the voices of actors Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove and Elsie Fisher as their characters. Orlando's CityWalk complex also gets a Hollywood Drive-In 1950s B-movie-themed 36-hole miniature golf course, set to open in February. And the Blue Man Group returns in February with a new show and props. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

'Wish You're Here' Presents A Killer 'Hangover'

Despite what you are able have discovered within the "Hangover" films, endless nights of drunken debauchery don't always result in amusing misadventures. Really, the final results can often be very tragic and extremely dangerous, as they are the problem inside the Sundance Film Festival drama "Want Been Here," starring Joel Edgerton and Teresa Palmer. "It's [about] four people prone to Cambodia on the journey. Three of those go back home,In . Edgerton told MTV News in regards to the film's premise. "The film is told in Sydney in forward time, then you're going backwards to obtain traces and flashes of evidence of what really went lower." Edgerton and Palmer both agree that might be no traces of "The Hangover" in "Want Been Here," especially his or her film doesn't have a series-smoking monkey, or Bradley Cooper for the matter. "That's rare nowadays," Edgerton cracked in regards to the "Hangover" star's frequent screen presence. "And I'd condition when he were here, too!" Rather, "Want Been Here" is certainly a powerful drama that's received equally passionate praise from Sundance participants. Edgerton credits the wealth from the film, no less than simply, for the mixing of numerous genres. "It's a taut thriller by getting a fascinating relationship drama within it,In . he mentioned. "But, it's surrounded in the thriller. In my opinion we developed a effective job from this.In . The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is formally showed up, as well as the MTV Movies team is on the ground verifying around typically the most popular stars as well as the movies everyone will probably be talking about around later on. Maintain it locked with MTV Movies for everything there's to learn about Sundance.

Lionsgate might be upgraded by S&P

'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning Part 1'Standard & Poors is thinking about upgrading of Lionsgate's corporate credit score, saying purchasing Summit could place the studio on the sounder financial footing.The large rankings agency placed its "B-" corporate credit score on what's known as "CreditWatch with positive implications" and predicted the offer could finish up reducing Lionsgate's debt "meaningfully." Wall Streeters expect Summit's "Twilight" franchise to inject half a billion dollars of fresh cash into Lionsgate within the next 5 years. The brand new listing reflects the potential of upgrading, which, S&P stated, will rely on the combined company's new cash position, strategy and "acquisition orientation." The company believed Lionsgate's professional forma debt at roughly $1.1 billion -- or $1.5 billion including film financing obligations -- by Sept. 30, 2011.Additionally, it stated the purchase decently enhances Lionsgate's business risk profile due to elevated leverage over participants, and inventive abilities. The $412 million deal, a mix of cash, stock and bonds purchase, was introduced Friday. Lionsgate shares returned greater late within the buying and selling day Wednesday, closing up 2.24% at $9.14, a brand new 52-week high.Corporate credit rankings figure out how much risk a trader is dealing with. The concept would be that the lower the rating the much more likely a business would be to default therefore it needs to pay greater rates of interest to be able to attract traders. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Viacom, Vocento bow funnel in the united states

Viacom Intl. Media Systems and Spain's Vocento are beginning a free of charge-to-air fiction funnel in the united states. The still-not named service will bow first quarter, altering Vocento's family-oriented country wide funnel La 10, which closed Jan. 1. Deal plays in the 2009 programming alliance that delivers Vocento Television stations utilization of Viacom's huge library. A year ago, Viacom's MTV started to air in Spain's free-to-air market on one of Vocento's four country wide TV services, therefore it controls via Vocento TV holding Internet TV. The launch in the new funnel "underscores Viacom's strong persistence for the The the spanish language language market," mentioned Antonio Campo Da'llOrto, Viacom Intl. Media Networks' controlling director of south Europe. Vocento's production holding Veralia will finish up a minority content provider for your new funnel. As advertising revenues plummet in the united states, global entertainment companies are appropriating options to provide channels or content towards the the spanish language language TV operators. Discovery Max launched Jan. 12 after Discovery Systems Intl. inked using the the spanish language language posting group Unidad Editorial to switch its Veo TV. Disney Funnel has operated a Internet TV free-to-air TV service since 2008. Vocento has a 55% stake in Internet and, via Veralia, holds stakes in TV production houses Europroducciones, BocaBoca and Hill Valley, plus indie film distributor Tripictures. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Adele notches 16th week at No. 1

Maintaining its torrid pace, Adele's "21" hangs onto its No. 1 slot on the U.S. album chart for a 16th non-consecutive week. In its 46th chart week, the British singer's Columbia set sold 144,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan data for the week ending Jan. 8. It was the only title to move more than 100,000 units last week. If "21" can hold the apex next week - a likely proposition amid a thin January release schedule -- it will be the first album to log 16 weeks at No. 1 since the blockbuster soundtrack for "Titanic" attained that feat in 1998. Barring a huge sales slump, the collection - up for six Grammys next month -- should top the 6 million sales plateau on next week's chart. The week's only top 10 debut - in fact, the only album to bow in the top 50 - is Oklahoma band SafetySuit's "These Times," (Universal Republic), which enters at No. 7 with a 26,000-unit tally. Group's sophomore album was launched as an iTunes exclusive. Week's other top 10 albums all logged percentage declines with flagging post-holiday sales. Ruling in the top five are Drake's "Take Care" (No. 2, 42,000 sold, off 41%), the Black Keys' "El Camino" (No. 3, 42,000, down 8%), Young Jeezy's "TM 103: Hustlerz Ambition" (No. 4, 36,000, off 47%) and Coldplay's "Mylo Xyloto" (No. 5, 28,000, down 37%). Completing the top 10 are Rihanna's "Talk That Talk" (No. 6, 27,000, off 35%), LMFAO's "Sorry For Party Rocking" (No. 8, 25,000, down 38%), the "Now 40" compilation (No. 9, 24,000, down 42%) and Florence & the Machine's "Ceremonials" (No. 10, 24,000, down 50%). New sets by Snow Patrol, the David Crowder Band and the Little Willies are among the top chart candidates for next week. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Make room for contributor

Tony Bennett, Tony Thomas and Ray Romano raise gold gold coin for St. Jude's. Jared Harris, John Slattery and Vincent Kartheiser celebrated the 50th anniversary of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital around the month of the month of january 7, 2012.Anne Heche and Kristin Davis Many tears fell within the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital benefit gala Saturday, but there has been much like many laughs with the evening. Host Phil Donahue appreciated Danny Thomas, founding father of St. Jude's. "The two of us have acquired many, many honors," he mentioned. "My father-in-law remains knighted by two popes, which i had been recently named Guy of year by Transvestites for just about any Better America."Inside the Beverly Hilton crowd, Jon Hamm spoken up Angie Dickinson, and Mila Kunis and Rashida Manley high-fived each other for promises.Ray Romano mentioned, "I am unable to delay until my act is finished to be able to hear Tony Bennett. Throughout my thoughts, I'm saying, 'Get in the stage.' "Within the perf, Bennett made an unforeseen dedication for "The Truly Amazing Existence.""Allow me to dedicate this song to Rhianna,Inch Bennett mentioned. "Just what a great singer she's.Inch Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

City Opera Lockout Leaves Approaching Season Questionable

City Opera Lockout Leaves Approaching Season Questionable By Frank Nestor The month of the month of january 9, 2012 NY City Opera declared a lockout for current day opening testing of the year after contact discussions having its unions deteriorated in the last weekend. A purchase leaves the fate of City Opera's first manufacture of year, "La Traviata," which is approaching cut lower season, uncertain. Throughout the final 72 hours, a federal mediator has labored with City Opera's management which is unionsAGMA, which signifies the chorus, entertainers, stage managers, and company company directors, and American Federation of Artists Local 802, representing the orchestra and conductorsin an attempt to resolve a ongoing labor dispute.Last May, City Opera introduced it could not have the ability to remain at Lincoln subsequently subsequently Center's David H. Koch Theater. The business has apparently cut its budget from $31 million to $13 million, and decreased its volume of productions this season to merely four. To be able to keep costs lower, City Opera wants to eliminate salaries for chorus and orchestra people and just purchase individual rehearsals and performances. The unions reason why the opera's proposal would eliminate a lot of jobs and result in pay cuts of 90 %, even though lately employees have formerly taken large salary cuts. "After we have mentioned numerous occasions, we should transition for the model that lots of opera companies usepaying people just to do the job they are doing,Inch mentioned George Steel, City Opera's gm and artistic director, in the statement. Discussions stopped focusing on Jan. 7, when the unions rejected accept the newest offer from management. Gail Kruvand, assistant principal bass as well as the chair of Local 802's City Opera settling committee, mentioned in the statement: "We developed a good-belief effort to convey that, yes, we are ready to sacrificeDuring the mediation method that ended unsuccessfully, we offered further economic credits. Steel's intransigence in rejecting our many constructive plans might be the dying knell for among NY's cultural treasures." On Sunday, City Opera cancelled testing and launched a lockout, since the organization thought it could have risked needing to pay employees for rehearsals, only to have union people strike the opening evening. "La Traviata" is scheduled to commence its work on Feb. 12 in the Brooklyn Academy of Music. City Opera Lockout Leaves Approaching Season Questionable By Frank Nestor The month of the month of january 9, 2012 NY City Opera declared a lockout for current day opening testing of the year after contact discussions having its unions deteriorated in the last weekend. A purchase leaves the fate of City Opera's first manufacture of year, "La Traviata," which is approaching cut lower season, uncertain. Throughout the final 72 hours, a federal mediator has labored with City Opera's management which is unionsAGMA, which signifies the chorus, entertainers, stage managers, and company company directors, and American Federation of Artists Local 802, representing the orchestra and conductorsin an attempt to resolve a ongoing labor dispute.Last May, City Opera introduced it could not have the ability to remain at Lincoln subsequently subsequently Center's David H. Koch Theater. The business has apparently cut its budget from $31 million to $13 million, and decreased its volume of productions this season to merely four. To be able to keep costs lower, City Opera wants to eliminate salaries for chorus and orchestra people and just purchase individual rehearsals and performances. The unions reason why the opera's proposal would eliminate a lot of jobs and result in pay cuts of ninety percent, even though lately employees have formerly taken large salary cuts. "After we have mentioned numerous occasions, we should transition for the model that lots of opera companies usepaying people just to do the job they are doing,Inch mentioned George Steel, City Opera's gm and artistic director, in the statement. Discussions stopped focusing on Jan. 7, when the unions rejected accept the newest offer from management. Gail Kruvand, assistant principal bass as well as the chair of Local 802's City Opera settling committee, mentioned in the statement: "We developed a good-belief effort to convey that, yes, we are ready to sacrificeDuring the mediation method that ended unsuccessfully, we offered further economic credits. Steel's intransigence in rejecting our many constructive plans might be the dying knell for starters of NY's cultural treasures." On Sunday, City Opera cancelled testing and launched a lockout, since the organization thought it could have risked needing to pay employees for rehearsals, only to have union people strike the opening evening. "La Traviata" is scheduled to commence its work on Feb. 12 within the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Liam Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson Get In An 'Empire State' Of Mind

Liam Hemsworth is a bona fide action star, as unlikely as that sounds. After coming to attention as Miley Cyrus's beau in "The Last Song," the Aussie's taken his turn in upcoming beefy blockbusters like "The Hunger Games" and "The Expendables 2." Now, the push continues, as he's about to hit a Rock. Deadline reports that Hemsworth is close to a deal to star in "Empire State," which they call an indie heist movie based on the story of a 1982 NYC armed car robbery. At the time, it was the largest cash grab in U.S. history. Can't you just see the taglines now? (Sample: "They said it couldn't be done. They thought wrong.") If that's not enough machismo, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is also in talks to star in the film in some unspecified role. Being that he's The Rock, it'll probably be something in your face. You've got to balance that out with the "indie" side, though, which means he could be somewhat understated and multifaceted compared to his usual tough guy stance. Imagine him as an old-timey barber who's been out of the game forever, but comes back for one last score. Imagine him as a strong, silent type named "The Fixer" who can snap a man's neck in half but cries while watching "Bambi." Craziest of all, imagine him as just a normal guy. Now that's unrealistic! What do you think of a possible Hemsworth-Johnson collaboration? Leave your thoughts in the comments section and on Twitter!

Matthew Fox Takes Emperor

Starring in the political dramaSince he finally made it off the Lost island, Matthew Fox has been trying to build his film career. He'll be seen this year in both World War Z and I, Alex Cross and has just signed on to a slightly smaller film, snagging the lead in Peter Webber's Emperor.The story (inspired by true events) is set in Japan right at the end of World War II. Fox is on as General Bonner Fellers, acclaimed as a Japanese expert and faced with a daunting decision:should the emperor, Hirohito be charged with war crimes and hanged for his actions in the global conflict?But because big historical stories always seem to need a little love interest to keep them ticking along, there's also a subplot about Fellers trying to find the girl he met when she was an exchange student in the States before the breakout of hostilities. Has she survived? Will they be reunited? And how does that polar bear fit into it a... No, sorry: that's Lost again.With David Klass and Vera Blasi on script duties, Webber is busy setting up a shoot that will encompass both New Zealand and Japan itself.