eOne goes on spending spree

Entertainment One went on a buying spree at this year's European Film Market, snapping up a raft of multi-territory rights for pics including "A Most Wanted Man," "Bitter Pill" and "Love Punch." As the market drew to a close, the distrib announced it had picked up U.K. and Canadian rights for Jim Mickle's "We Are What We Are," Steven Soderbergh's Rooney Mara starrer "Bitter Pill" (Daily Variety, Feb. 13), and Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington starrer "2 Guns," to be helmed by Baltasar Kormakur, which it purchased for $10.6 million. eOne also picked up U.K., Canadian and Australian rights to Paul Andrew Williams' "Miss You Already" and Joel Hopkins' "Love Punch," starring Emma Thompson and Pierce Brosnan. For Canada and Benelux, it nabbed Philip Seymour Hoffman starrer "A Most Wanted Man," from FilmNation Entertainment, while it took U.K., Canadian and Benelux rights for helmer Steven Sheil's HBO Asia film "Dead Mine," which was being shopped by Celluloid Nightmares. Additional pickups for Canada include director John Stockwell's "Codename Geronimo," Catherine Hardwicke's "Plush," Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper starrer "Serena," J.C. Chandor-helmed "All Is Lost," Brit crime actioner "The Sweeney" and "Writers," starring Greg Kinnear and Jennifer Connelly. In Oz, eOne took rights for Julian Fellowes' scripted "Crooked House" and Katherine Heigl adult puppet feature "Happytime Murders." North American pickups include "Devil Seed," "Iron Sky," "Let Go" and "Osombie." And in Benelux it took "Last Exorcism 2," starring Ashley Bell, which was being shopped by Studiocanal. Finally, distrib picked up U.K. rights for helmer Rodrigo Garca's Glenn Close and Mia Wasikowska starrer "Albert Nobbs." Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

The Biz: NBC's Luke Russert Does Time on Dateline

Jon-Adrian Velazquez, Luke Russert As the son of the late Tim Russert, the longtime moderator of NBC's Meet the Press, Luke Russert grew up in Washington politics. So it was natural for him to cover Capitol Hill when he joined NBC News in 2008. His coverage of the scandal involving sexting House member Anthony Weiner helped nudge the Congressman into resigning. But on Sunday, in his first report for Dateline NBC (7/6c), Russert trades in the halls of Congress for the clanging barred doors of Sing Sing Correctional Facility. He will present a long-running investigation on the case of Jon-Adrian Velazquez, who was convicted of second-degree manslaughter for the shooting death of a former NYPD officer. Velazquez has maintained his innocence, a claim that Dateline regularly gets from prison inmates. But in this tale, Velazquez, who has already served 10 years of a 25 years-to-life sentence, becomes a character viewers will be pulling for. Russert shared his thoughts about his experience with The Biz. TV Guide Magazine: How did you get drawn into this story?Luke Russert: I got involved in November 2008. The producer, Dan Sleplian - who is really the backbone, in that he's done so much of the investigative work all throughout the years - approached me and said, "I have this story and I think as a younger, innocent voice who's never gone through all this or visited a prison before or seen inside the criminal justice system would make you an interesting correspondent for it." It was originally going to be my journey through all this, but once we investigated the case, we saw this story should be much more about Velazquez and his case and its flaws. TV Guide Magazine: How did it feel to be on the inside? Russert: I'll be the first to tell you that I grew up in very fortunate circumstances. Prison visits definitely were not the norm growing up. Nor was talking with convicted murderers. It was a real eye-opening experience. The full lack of control had a profound effect on me. Even though you know you're allowed to leave, when you walk through the doors and hear them lock behind you and the guard explains to you they will not negotiate your release if a convict takes you hostage, I thought my life and my freedom are now completely in the hands of somebody else. TV Guide Magazine: Velazquez was such a charismatic guy. He knew how to tell his story on camera.Russert: I cover politicians and a lot of them are very well versed in speaking in public and speaking to the camera. It's a craft they've honed their entire careers. Velazquez, from the moment I met him - I had never come across anyone who spoke with such power and determination. You just sort of felt he was telling the truth by the way he was coming across. One of the first things I said to him was if you're not telling the truth you're going to embarrass yourself and embarrass the whole process. He goes "Please Luke, if you can, prove me guilty. I want you to prove me guilty. It cannot be done." That was a powerful statement from him - something I certainly was not expecting. And we tried. TV Guide Magazine: Do you personally think he's innocent?Russert: If you look at the facts of the case as they were given in court and the facts we uncovered in our 10-year investigation, it's very difficult to prove him guilty. Could he be the best liar in the history of lying? Sure. There is no DNA. There is no physical evidence. The accomplice in the case claims that they met Velazquez on the day of the murder. There are a lot of facts which show his conviction was ultimately flawed. TV Guide Magazine: When you were hired by NBC News, you were positioned as the "youth guy," covering the presidential campaign. It was a short-term deal and you were trying this out but keeping your options open. You're now in your fourth year at the network. Is it safe to say TV news is your career path going forward?Russert: It's certainly what I'm doing in the immediate future. I was signed up for a year and if I didn't like it, I could have gone to grad school. After covering Capitol Hill, I'm seeing it's a profession where I can make a difference in people's lives if you use it effectively as a tool. As of right now, I'm very happy with political journalism and broadcast journalism. One thing I've known from watching my dad on Meet the Press, when you ask people about their future, never say never. It will come back and bite you one day. TV Guide Magazine: Are you keeping in touch with Anthony Weiner?Russert: I have not spoken to Representative Weiner since the summer. But he's now a father so I congratulate him on that. TV Guide Magazine: Viewers remember the enthusiasm Tim Russert brought to presidential campaign coverage every four years. What do you think he would be saying about the 2012 race?Russert: He would be sort of amazed at how the circus stories and sidebar stories have dominated the coverage. I also think when it comes to Mitt Romney and President Obama, he would have an interest because, I would argue, he had a lot to do with them getting where they are now. During a debate for the 2002 Massachusetts Governor's race, my dad asked Romney's opponent, Shannon O'Brien, about how you have to be 18 in Massachusetts to get [parental consent] for a tattoo and 16 to get an abortion. And she said, "Tim, you want to see my tattoo?" She started polling behind Romney after that because she seemed out of touch with a lot of people. In 2008, my dad asked Hillary Clinton about driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, and that started her downward spiral and allowed Obama to move up. He had a direct impact on both of candidates. And we're still feeling it. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

MTV Brings Among The Finest My Pants Back From Page to Screen

Peter Vack A lovely romantic named Jason - performed by Peter Vack - handles love, existence along with a one-evening-stand snafu in Among The Finest My Pants Back, MTV's charming new dramedy series according to professional producer David Rosen's novel. We spoken to both fellas about taking Jason in the page towards the screen.TV Guide Magazine: Is Jason according to you, David?Vack: I'm playing him verbatim. [Laughs]Rosen: It is extremely meta. A few of the wiseass-ness and truthfulness from the book's character is built-in, but this Jason isn't me. Peter is becoming this character.TV Guide Magazine: How maybe it was casting anyone to take part in the character you produced?Rosen: I'm super-intimidating. [Laughs] Peter arrived for among the first periods I sitting in. We did an thorough look for the smoothness.Vack: I believe I arrived six or seven occasions.TV Guide Magazine: Why must everyone loves this person?Vack: There is something about Jason that's very pure. He will get themself into some screwy situations with females and the job, but ultimately, he's a man who frantically wants to stay in love.Rosen: He isn't a person.Vack: For Jason, it isn't about connecting up. Every girl is definitely an chance for him to satisfy that a person.Television Guide Magazine: What is the strangest factor which has ever happened inside your sex life?Vack: Oh, my God, they are all so strange. Sex inside your twenties can be quite humorous. [Laughs]Among The Finest My Pants Back airs Thursdays at 11/10c on MTV. Here's a unique clip from tonight's episode: Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

Sullivan Stapleton to star in '300' follow-up

Sullivan"Animal Kingdom" thesp Sullivan Stapleton is in final negotiations to star in the untitled followup film to "300" from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures. Noam Murro is helming, with Kurt Johnstad and Zack Snyder penning the script. Plot details are being kept under wraps. Mark Canton, Gianni Nunnari, Bernie Goldmann, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder and Thomas Tull are producing. Stapleton had been in consideration for the role early on but had an obligation to the TV show "Strike Back." With the pic shoot pushing to the summer, the studio went back to Stapleton and it looks like the schedules have been work out. Stapleton wouldn't necessarily be playing Xerxes, as was originally thought. Sources say the film, originally rooted as a prequel, is neither a prequel or a sequel and that the filmmakers are still figuring out its positioning. Besides "Strike Back," Stapleton can also be seen in Warner Bros.' "Gangster Squad." He is repped by WME and United Management. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Joe Carnahan Updates On Dying Wish

It's a return to the novel... sort ofIt's only a couple of days since the announcement that, hot within the Grey's creating itself as alpha within the box office, director Joe Carnahan reaches the frame for just about any latest version of Dying Wish. There's no actual word from Carnahan in those days, but he's now arrived at his Twitter account to discuss ideas on his approach to the hoary Charles Bronson pseudo-classic.Possibly not remarkably, the street taken is always that Carnahan is returning to John Garfield's original novel for inspiration. First launched in 1972, it truly involves an accountant los angeles named Paul Benjamin, rather than an architect referred to as Paul Kersey, which is more ambivalent about its violent 'hero'. Michael Winner's film version - that have passed using the hands of Sidney Lumet and Jack Lemmon coming for the screen - eventually needed the street of scuzzy exploitation, and was much resented by Garfield. Because the films went their particular way, Garfield written their very own follow-up in 1975 Dying Sentence was loosely modified by James Wan in 2007, with Kevin Sausage."I'm doing Dying Wish," Carnahan certifies, "but this version can be a re-imagining in the book." Basically, by reimagining, he seems to mainly mean moving. "It's occur present-day La: the LA of Collateral. It's on buses, cabs, metro trains. If only to exhibit an unseen version of la: LA when walking, prowling, hunting, the large avoid of downtown... Nicholas Winding Refn did an remarkable job shooting LA [with Drive]. It needed around the different dimension. This is actually the key."Carnahan states he's writing an element particularly for your Grey's Frank Grillo - "The primary once I've ever written exclusively with an actor" - but later clarified it's not the Bronson role. More youthful crowd demands that Killing Pablo, his biopic in the Colombian drugs kingpin Pablo Escobar based on Mark Bowden's bestseller, remains greatly a going concern: "It's basically greenlit. There's nothing postponed. Killing Pablo is happening. I'm not letting that particular be considered a waste.InchIf "there's nothing postponed", it seems like expect Killing Pablo first. Meanwhile, watch this space for further Dying Wish updates.

'Rust and Bone' to The new sony Pictures Classics

The new sony Pictures Classics has acquired United States, Latin American and Eastern European privileges to Jacques Audiard's romance-suspenser "Rust & Bone," which lately wrapped production. "Rust" stars Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenarts and it is created by Pascal Caucheteux. The film was co-compiled by Audiard and Thomas Bidegain -- who teamed on 2009's "A Prophet" -- and modified in the book of short tales by Craig Davidson. Pic was allocated at $22 million, which makes it among the greatest films being released of France this past year. Celine Sallette ("House of Tolerance") and Bouli Lanners ("Absolutely nothing to Declare") co-star. "A Prophet" required the Cannes Festival's Special Jury Prize in '09. Hengameh Panahi's Celluloid Dreams, which offered and co-created "A Prophet," offered "Rust & Bone" to The new sony Classics. Caucheteux's credits include Audiard's "The Beat That My Heart Missed" and "A Prophet," in addition to "Of Gods and Males" and "Assault on Precinct 13." UGC is distribbing in France. In pre-sales, "Rust" continues to be licensed to Studiocanal for that U.K,, Bim Distribuzione for Italia and Lumiere for that Benelux areas. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

New DVD Releases: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012

Kojak Ancient Aliens Season 3Aliens have apparently been likely to us for millenia, and you will explore their effect on mankind wonderful 16 episodes from Season 3 on four dvd disks. The set includes additional footage not seen through the broadcast on History. (Buy Ancient Aliens Season 3) Kojak: The Whole Movie CollectionShout! Factory is ongoing their releases of Kojak using this four-disccollection that featureseight movies that broadcast between 1973 and 1990.(Buy Kojak: The Whole Movie Collection) Fulfill the Browns: Season 4 Using the 2008 movie starring Tyler Perry, the tv show is becoming within the fifth season. Using this three-disc set, get ready to enjoy all 20 episodes within the fourth season for under $30. (Buy Fulfill the Browns: Season 4) Begin to see the complete report on releases for Jan. 24 at TVShowsOnDVD.com