Keri Russell attached to FX's 'Americans'

RussellKeri Russell is on board as the female lead in the FX drama pilot "The Americans."Project, produced by Fox Television Studios and FX Prods., examines a complex arranged marriage of two KGB spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington, D.C., in the early 1980s. While Russell will play the wife, Elizabeth Jennings, no actor has been cast yet for her husband, Phillip Jennings.The plot thickens when the Russians begin to grow an affinity for both America and each other.Pilot was written by Joe Weisberg, who will exec produce with "Justified" showrunner Graham Yost, and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey of DreamWorks Television. "Warrior" helmer Gavin O'Connor will directProduction on "The Americans" is scheduled to begin in late spring, which means other casting will have to be closed soon in order for cameras to start rolling.FX is still debating the fate of "Powers," starring Jason Patric. Sony Television-produced sci-fi pilot from writer Charles Eglee has undergone several revisions and is awaiting a reshoot.Russell became a TV star when she toplined the WB drama "Felicity," which ran from 1998-2002. In 2010 she and Will Arnett starred in the Fox comedy "Running Wilde," but the series lasted only 13 episodes. Bigscreen projects include "Waitress" and "Mission: Impossible III." Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Saudis open screen door

The Journey to Mecca screening at the Jeddah Hilton marked one of the first public unspoolings of a film in Saudi Arabia in 30 years. On Sunday night, some would say the impossible happened. A feature film, financed and produced by both Saudi and international interests, premiered in a public place in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia with full approval of the authorities.Director Bruce Neibaur's Imax movie "Journey to Mecca" had its local premiere at the Jeddah Hilton on the opening evening of the Jeddah Economic Forum, held for the first time under the patronage of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.It's only the second time a film has been shown in public in Jeddah since the city's five cinemas were closed under Islamic law in 1982."Journey to Mecca" follows 14th century explorer Ibn Battuta as he makes his way from his native Morocco to Makkah (Mecca) for the Hajj pilgrimage.The film, released in 2009, has already unspooled in NY, Washington D.C., London, Paris, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, but the Jeddah preem seems the most significant, occurring in a region where public screenings are banned.Dignitaries from inside the kingdom and abroad attended the event, which was inaugurated by one of the film's key financiers, Abdulrahman Al-Zamil, chairman of Saudi Arabia's industrial conglom the Zamil Group."Premiering the film in Jeddah is of great importance to the film's developers and producers, as it shows there is a market for such magnificent films," said Al-Zamil in an interview with Variety Arabia. "From the reaction we have seen tonight, we can see that the audience believes that such films help to spread peace and prosperity."The audience consisted of male and female guests, separated by a screen, who watched the film in the hotel's main ballroom. Prominent figures such as Sheikh Saleh Kamel, chairman of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Dr. Lama Al-Sulaiman, vice chairwoman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, helped organize and support the event.Filmed in Makkah Province with the permission of HRH Khalid al-Faisal, governor of Makkah, "Journey to Mecca" was exec produced by Jake Eberts, whose credits as exec producer include "Dances With Wolves" and Peter Weir's "The Way Back."Project was conceived as an Imax film by producers Taran Davies and Dominic Cunningham-Reid and financed by producers from eight countries, including the Al-Zamil family in Saudi Arabia.The film was presented by the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, an institution led by HRH Prince Turki al-Faisal, former Saudi Ambassador to the U.K. and U.S. It was filmed at the Grand Mosque, using three Imax cameras.The last movie shown in Jeddah was helmer Ayman Makram's comedy "Menahi," produced by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, in 2008. It played for a week at a 1,200-seat conference hall, where men sat on the ground floor with women separate in the balcony.Given its subject "Journey" seems an appropriate selection in a country known for the strict control of content, a policy of which the film's backers were well aware.Although the general ban on films remains, Saudi Arabians are exposed to movies extensively since the country is full of satellite dishes; people watch them all the time in the privacy of their own homes.But the public screening represents a huge step that could be significant for film fans in Saudi Arabia. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

UPDATE: Marc Cherry States Avoi Longoria & Felicity Huffman Were Relieved That Nicollette Sheridan Was Exiting Show

Freelance author Dominic Patten is really a Deadline contributor second UPDATE, 5 PM:Marc Cherry told a legal court that Nicollette Sheridan’s Desperate Housewivesco-stars Avoi Longoria and Felicity Huffman were “relieved” to listen to that Sheridan’s character could be wiped out from the hit ABC series. These were, he claimed, concerned their deals might have salary demands Sheridan may have been thinking about at that time. The show’s creator/executive producer claimed that around or on the series’ 100th episode party on December 10, 2008 — a lot more than two several weeks before Cherry stated he told Sheridan that they could be departing the show –he told Longoria and Huffman that Sheridan’s character had been wiped out off and away to “calm them lower”. Longoria and Huffman, both around the witness list for that trial together with fellow Average women co-star Marcia Mix, were in Cherry’s office that December day to go over conversations they'd with Sheridan about all five stars renegotiating their contracts together to obtain a better deal from the network.All five primary stars around the hit series, together with Cherry, achieved positive results from profit-discussing deals that increased the more the series was around the air. Meanwhile, on the month following the ending up in Longoria and Huffman, a The month of january 27, 2009 email went from Average women producer George Perkins, estimating Cherry, nevertheless “any tries to diminish” Sheridan’s Edie Britt character’s role “is false”. Cherry confirmed that the quote originated from him. Earlier within the mid-day, Cherry’s testimony adopted the succession of occasions on September 24, 2008, when Cherry allegedly hit Sheridan upside the mind. Cherry, that has always contended he “lightly drawn on” Sheridan, stated he had been administered implicit “permission” to the touch Sheridan’s mind accordingly while giving her direction for any scene on that day.Cherry accepted he “monitored every syllable he uttered around Sheridan later on.” Testimony came to the conclusion today with an infinitely more relaxed Cherry responding to questions from his defense lawyer Adam Levin about his background, how he emerged using the concept for Average women contributing to how Sheridan am great within the show’s pilot that Cherry made the decision to create her a set regular. His testimony continues tomorrow. Former ABC executive Mark Pedowitz, now entertainment leader from the CW, is anticipated to testify next. UPDATE, 12:30 PM: “I drawn on her mind, yes.” That’s what Cherry, around the stand today, was adamant hadoccurred between him and Sheridan around the Desperate Average women set on September 24, 2008. Cherry continues to be consistent on his version of occasions concerning the alleged incident, which vary from Sheridan’s declare that he hit her “hard”.Under questioning from complaintant’s lawyer Mark Baute, Cherry wasn’t so consistent today about why Sheridan was release in the show, though he stated any reasons were secondary to “creative desires” to enhance the series’ arc for an additional season. Cherry had stated the decision was relayed to get rid of Sheridan’s Edie Britt character in Season 5 throughout a personal five-minute meeting May 22, 2008 with then-ABC Galleries leader Mark Pedowitz inside a studio hallway. Throughout today’s testimony, though, he couldn’t recall what Pedowitz stated around the matter with the exception that he decided to the move. Cherry has stated and repeated today that getting rid of Britt was an problem of “cost-saving” on Sheridan’s multimillion-dollar salary. But he claimed the series’ finances weren't something by which he was directly involved. When asked by complaintant’s lawyers, Cherry stated he'd no clue just how much revenue Average women had produced over its lifespan — Cherry’s profit participation within the hit ABC series makes him millions.Cherry also didn’t recall further conversations or documentation about killing off Sheridan’s character. “I didn’t send any emails,” he stated. “I just walked over” to speak to Pedowitz. Cherry added that later on that day, then-ABC Entertainment leader Stephen McPherson chimed in and agreed using the decision. In subsequent several weeks, however, there have been no emails around the problem from the parties involved that Cherry “was conscious of”. He did tell a legal court he informed the writing staff of this season’sHousewives“almost immediately” concerning the decision, but he swore these to secrecy.Various producers and authors from that season from the series are anticipated to testify later within the trial. Cherry stated one more reason for letting Sheridan go was her “unprofessional behavior”. “It wasn’t the main reason for my decision,” the chipper and clipped Cherry told a legal court at the start of his testimony, “but it had been something I had been conscious of … it had been on my small mind.” Under questioning from Sheridan’s lawyers, Cherry reported an accidents of Sheridan allegedly being rude towards the series’ prop guy, an accidents that happened at the end of 2008 — several weeks following the supposed decision is made to allow Sheridan go. PREVIOUS, 11:24 AM: Desperate Average women creator/executive producer Marc Cherry is placed to testify next in Nicollette Sheridan‘swrongful termination and battery suit against Cherry, ABC Galleries and ABC. Sheridan came to the conclusion her testimony about half an hour ago. The primary focus of questioning today dedicated to a December 5, 2008 letter from ABC’s human assets department that came to the conclusion its analysis into an allegedSeptember 24, 2008 on-set incident by which Cherry allegedly struck Sheridan around the mind. Within the letter, the network discovered that theproducer’s apology within the incident had effectively ended the problem with no further action could be taken for “inadvertently upsetting [Sheridan].”Sheridan, who first required the stand Thursday morning, expressed “outrage” within the letter. However, she later accepted to defense lawyer Adam Levin that they didn’t really begin to see the letter at that time it had been delivered to her then-lawyer, nor did she contact the studio to disagree using its statements. Sheridan later stopped working in tears while reading through a hands-written letter from Average women producer George Perkins. The note was composed at the begining of 2009 following the actress’ final table read for that series and accented her on her “class” and “grace”. Previous: Desperate Average women Trial: Nicollette Sheridan Never Was A Star From The Show, Defense Says

'The Help' tops NAACP Honours

The cast of ''The Help'' walked away with kudos within the 43rd NAACP Image Honours Friday evening, taking home the most effective prize for outstanding movie and nabbing outstanding actress and supporting actress honors for Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer correspondingly. Edging out co-stars Bryce Dallas Howard and Cicely Tyson, Octavia Spencer felt the Atlas-patterned Image Award statuette would be a particularly apt trophy. ''Wow just what a beautiful award. Often it does appear like we have the burden around the world on our shoulders.'' Salim Akil needed home the pointing award for ''Jumping the Broom'' and Anne Peacock got a writing award for ''The First Grader'' through the kudocast situated by Sanaa Latham and Anthony Mackie. Round the men's side ''Jumping the Broom'' shown fruitful for co-stars Laz Alonso and Mike Epps who walked away with best actor and greatest supporting actor trophies correspondingly. George Lucas was honored while using NAACP Vanguard Award for creating knowledge of social and racial issues. ''Tyler Perry's House f Payne'' won outstanding comedy series while Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Trecee Ellis Ross paired around collect the most effective actor and actress kudos for just about any comedy series correspondingly. ''Law and Order: Special Sufferers Unit'' won for just about any drama series and LL Awesome J and Regina King needed home and actress in the drama. The NAACP Image Honours honors outstanding achievement by people of color in film, television, music and literature additionally to people who promote social justice through creative endeavor. Kudocast was broadcast Friday on NBC. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Meryl Streep Rejoins the Elite Oscar Club This Year

A few days ago, I wrotea postin which I noted thatGeorge Clooney(thanks to his best actor Oscar nomination last month for"The Descendants") is now a member of an elite club of men who have scored three or more best actor Oscar nominations within a span of just five years -- and that the majority of them wound up winning at least once during their streaks -- something that Clooney has yet to do, but hopes to do on February 26.What I neglected to realize at the time was that Clooney is not the only one of this year's acting Oscar nominees who has been nominated at least three times since the 2007-2008 awards season, but it turns out Meryl Streephas accomplished the same feat.Thanks to Streep's best actress Oscar nomination last month for"The Iron Lady," she is now a member of a comparably exclusive club of women who have scored three or more best actress Oscar noms within a span of just five years!Whereas Clooney brought the male total to 16 men and 18 streaks (Spencer TracyandJack Lemmonhad two each), Streep brings the female total to 20 women and 23 streaks. Most amazingly, this is herfourthsuch streak -- no other female has more than one. But, she has won a best actress Oscar only once and that was 29 years ago.Although Streep lost this year's best actress SAG Award toViola Davis("The Help"), and although seven of the last 10 winners of that prize went on to repeat at the Oscars, she can take heart from the fact that 14 of the 19 other women's streaks produced at least one statuette (three producedtwo) -- five for the third film in the streak (as would also be the case for Streep). The Hollywood Reporter

Acad, SAG share same voter pool

SAG voters felt strongly about Demian Bichirs performance in 'A Better Existence,' concerning the difficulty of the illegal immigrant employed in the U . s . StatesWith the 1,183 people from the Academy of movement Picture Arts and Sciences' acting branch voting, you will find that most thesps nominated to have an Oscar also match the performances earlier feted through the Screen Stars Guild.This season wasn't any different. Within the lead actor and actress groups, four from the SAG noms matched up exactly what the Acad felt: Demian Bichir ("A Much Better Existence") George Clooney ("The Descendants"), Jean Dujardin ("The Artist") and Kaira Pitt ("Moneyball") made both lists, with Gary Oldman ("Mess Tailor Solder Spy") making the Oscar candidate rather than Leonardo DiCaprio ("J. Edgar").Around the distaff side, Glenn Close ("Albert Nobbs"), Viola Davis ("The AssistanceInch), Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady") and Michelle Williams ("My Week With Marilyn") made both lists. SAG nominee Tilda Swinton ("We have to Discuss Kevin") was changed by Rooney Mara ("The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo").Around the supporting side, the 2 sides thought much the same way -- Berenice Bejo ("The Artist"), Jessica Chastain ("The AssistanceInch), Melissa McCarthy ("Bridesmaids"), Jesse McTeer ("Albert Nobbs") and Octavia Spencer ("The AssistanceInch) for that ladies. Only Max von Sydow ("Very Noisy ") made the Oscar noms cut as he did not fare too with SAG. On the other hand, Armie Hammer ("J. Edgar") was based on his guild although not through the Acad.The 4 who made both lists: Kenneth Branagh ("My Week With Marilyn"), Jonah Hill ("Moneyball"), Nick Nolte ("Warrior") and Christopher Plummer ("Beginners").Within the 17-year good reputation for the SAG Honours, 86% of their lead actress nominees and 82% of their lead actor nominees go onto win Oscar nods too. And that is not considering the times when SAG has placed a performance in lead -- Jennifer Connelly in "An Attractive Mind" and Benicio Del Toro for "Traffic" -- that Academy voters later deem a supporting turn.Once the two physiques differ, experts say, it is a result mostly of timing. This season, SAG people needed to submit their ballots by 12 ,. 12. Having a Jan. 13 deadline, Academy voters had an additional month to look at movies and dig through their stack of screeners."You will find always late game-changers that are not around once the SAG nominating committee votes," states Sasha Stone, founder and editor from the Honours Daily website.SAG's earlier voting deadline likewise helps stars when their movies are the initial to reach in members' mail boxes. This season, Mexican-born thesp Bichir received a SAG nomination for his significantly recognized operate in "A Much Better Existence," a movie which was among the first DVD screeners from the gate.Hitfix.com's Kristopher Tapley, professional editor from the In Contention blog, states the guild has a tendency to reward stars at both finishes from the age spectrum -- youthful thesps for example Evan Rachel Wood for "13" and "Billy Elliot's" Jamie Bell, in addition to entertainers like Gena Rowlands ("Disconnect the heavensInch)."Since they snubbed Lauren Bacall for Juliette Binoche, I believe that sentiment alone (for older stars) is no more enough to sway a election using the Academy," states USA Today film author Susan Wloszczyna, speaking of 1996 when Binoche won the supporting actress Oscar for "The British Patient," beating Bacall in "The Mirror has Two Faces."SAG Honours 2012Idol of capri to acting icon Howard talks up AFTRA merger Acad, SAG share same voter pool Partygoers relax, revel following the show Stunts given due Brisk pace gives those who win last word Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

'Awakening' should top B.O.'s wide quartet

Overall domestic box office should continue its 6% lead over this time last year, as Sony-Screen Gems' fourth "Underworld" installment, "Awakening," is expected to score with a bow in the mid-$20 million range this weekend. An additional troupe of wide players -- Warner Bros.' "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," 20th Century Fox's "Red Tails" and Relativity Media's "Haywire" -- should help January's solid totals. According to some B.O. observers, "Extremely Loud," expanding to 2,630 locations in its fifth frame, and "Red Tails" could be close at just north of $10 million each through Sunday. Fox, however, expects a more modest bow for "Red Tails" in the high single-digits -- similar to the total expected for "Haywire." Warners has held "Extremely Loud" at six locations since bowing the film on Christmas Day. Pic's domestic cume stands at $681,000 for a per-screen average of $113,500. Also competing for the weekend's top-five placement: repeat players "Contraband" and "Beauty and the Beast" in 3D. Both films received favorable exit poll ratings last weekend, which point to potentially strong soph-sesh perfs. "Contraband" has cumed $32.3 million Stateside through Wednesday while "Beauty" has raked in $24 million domestically. Other titles expanding include the Weinstein Co.'s Golden Globe-winning pair "The Iron Lady" and "The Artist." The former, with $8.4 million after three weeks, adds almost 275 U.S. locations for a total 1,076, while "The Artist," with nearly $10 million domestically, broadens in its ninth frame to 662 engagements. Overseas, Warner Bros.' two-week champ "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" could fall to "Awakening," which bows day-and-date in 35 territories. (Sony has all international rights, except in the U.K. and France.) "Underworld: Awakening," which marks the return of star Kate Beckinsale to the vampire franchise, is also the series' first 3D installment. "Awakening" bows at 3,078 total playdates, of which 2,545 are 3D, including 254 Imax locations. The series' fourth installment cost a reported $70 million, but Sony said it hopes "Awakening," with Beckinsale back and an added boost from 3D, can grow stronger legs than its three predecessors. The three prior installments all cumed domestically only about two and a half times their opening -- a typical multiple for similar genre pics. The second "Underworld" film, "Evolution," scored the franchise's best debut at $26.9 million in 2006, the 2003 original posted an opening of $21.8 million, and "Rise of the Lycans" bagged $20.8 million. "Awakening" is expected to play best to young men. Fox's "Red Tails," meanwhile, will open to a largely African-American male audience, according to the studio, though that could expand. Fully financed by Lucasfilm for around $58 million, "Red Tails" tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American pilots to fly combat missions during WWII. Ensembler features Cuba Gooding Jr., Kevin Phillips and Terrence Howard. Fox said the film's PG-13 rating should allow for some interest by family audiences. According to online ticketing site Fandango, "Red Tails" was leading Thursday's ticket sales, with 27%, outpacing both "Underworld" (24%) and "Haywire" (3%). "Haywire," a Relativity project from helmer Steven Soderbergh, cost the studio a reported $23 million. But thanks to tax rebates from Ireland and foreign pre-sales, Relativity was able to reduce its risk to just $1.5 million, not including marketing costs. The film launches day-and-date this weekend via Lionsgate Intl. in seven offshore markets, including the U.K., Russia, Taiwan and India. International cast is led by Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas and Michael Fassbender. Bowing this weekend at the Stateside specialty B.O., the Weinsteins' "Coriolanus" opens at nine locations. Fox's Mexican pic "Miss Bala" bows at four. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com