Edward Zwick’s Defiance (2008) Movie Trailer

Based on an extraordinary true story, DEFIANCE is an epic tale of family, honor, vengeance and salvation in World War II. The year is 1941 and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the dense surrounding woods they have known since childhood. There they begin their desperate battle against the Nazis. Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell star as brothers who turn a primitive struggle to survive into something far more consequential – a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones by saving thousands of others. 

At first it is all they can do to stay alive. But gradually, as whispers of their daring spreads, they begin to attract others – men and women, young and old – willing to risk everything for the sake of even a moment’s freedom. Tuvia (CRAIG) is a reluctant leader and his decisions are challenged by his brother, Zus (SCHREIBER) who worries that Tuvia’s idealistic plans will doom them all. Asael (BELL) is the youngest – caught between his brothers’ fierce rivalry. As a brutal winter descends, they work to create a community, and to keep faith alive when all humanity appeared to be lost. 

DEFIANCE is directed by Edward Zwick (BLOOD DIAMOND, GLORY) from a screenplay by Zwick and Clay Frohman, based on Nechama Tec’s non-fiction book of the same name. The producers are Zwick and Pieter Jan Brugge. The team recreating the forest haven includes two-time Oscar®-nominated cinematographer Eduardo Serra (BLOOD DIAMOND, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING), production designer Dan Weil (BLOOD DIAMOND, THE BOURNE IDENTITY) and Oscar®-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (GOSFORD PARK, A ROOM WITH A VIEW). 

Defiance hits theaters on December 12th 2008.

Weekly Ratings: 10/12 – 10/17

Sunday Ratings: Football Tackles the Sunday Night Demos

7 pm/ET
The CW's In Harm's Way surged eight percent from its premiere to deliver 729,000 total viewers.

8 pm
Extreme Makeover eked out a W, scoring 11.26 million viewers to the first hour of Sunday Night Football's 11.16 mil. The onset of Fox's baseball coverage (9.5 mil) edged out Amazing Race (9.17 mil), while Episode 2 of the CW's Valentine (1.01 mil) felt only slightly less love than its debut. NBC's coverage of the Patriots-Chargers game averaged 11.2 mil through 11 pm, and topped everyone except the Housewives in the demos. Baseball averaged 8.5 mil over its first two hours.

9 pm
Desperate Housewives dominated with 15.3 million, more or less on par with a week ago. Cold Case gained 200K to place third with 10.9 mil. The CW's Easy Money (753,000) saw 30 percent of its premiere audience cash out.

10 pm
Football sneaked past Brothers & Sisters (10.1 mil), which was down 500 thou. The Unit (9.12 mil) dropped 14 percent.

Monday Ratings: TV's Worst Night Delivers Better Numbers
Is TV's best night also now its Worst? OK, I'm having too much funny with that confluence of show names. On with the ratings!

8 pm/ET
Dancing with the Stars this week averaged 17.68 million total viewers, dipping six percent week-to-week. CBS' comedy combo of Big Bang (9.36 mil, up a hair) and the not-quite-as-funny-as-it-used-to-be Mother (9.14 mil, up 200K) placed second — and nipped at Dancing's heels in the demos. Trailing the first hour of Fox's baseball coverage, Chuck did six mil, showing a slight increase, while Gossip Girl slipped 200 thou, to 3.34 mil.

9 pm
CBS' Men topped DWTS in the demos, and delivered 14.57 million viewers, a 630 thou increase. Come 9:30, Samantha Who? seized the lead, returning to an audience of 11.7 mil (up six percent from its last original episode). That bested the Eye's Worst Week, which at 9.78 mil was actually up 11 percent. Heroes (8.6 mil) rebounded from its slide with a 420K bump, while Tree Hill held steady at 3.43 mil.

10 pm
Despite Worst Week's betterment, CSI: Miami still seems handicapped, dropping 620K (to 13 million). Similarly, losing Dancing as a lead-in cost Boston Legal (8.18 mil) 12 percent of its audience. NBC's My Own Worst Enemy premiered to 7.3 million viewers, a 1.5 mil improvement on Life's last Monday audience. (And it bested Boston in the demos).

Tuesday Ratings: NCIS Nets New High, Eli Keeps the Faith

8 pm/ET
NCIS continued its streak as the night's most-watched program, delivering 17.86 million total viewers — a 14 percent week-to-week surge and its biggest audience of the season-to-date. (Thanks, Papa Walton! And g'night, John-Boy!) House inched up 160K, to 12.82 mil, followed by Biggest Loser (which averaged a typical 7.45 mil).

9 pm
The Mentalist again bested Dancing with the Stars' results show, 14.86 mil to 14.37 mil. Fringe (9.53 mil) placed third, dropping 500K from its last outing, but topped the hour in demos.

10 pm
Without a Trace toppled some 13 percent yet still led the pack with 10.99 million viewers. SVU was No. 1 in demos, but slipped 800 thou to 9.4 mil. ABC's Eli Stone was welcomed back by an audience of 8.82 mil, a 44 percent increase over its Season 1 finale.

Wednesday Ratings: Daisies Blooms (a Bit) as Bones Gets a Bye

8 pm/ET
With Bones benched by baseball, this Wednesday's 8 o'clock contest offered a three-horse race, as CBS' increasingly strong sitcombo of Old Christine (7.74 million total viewers) and Gary Unmarried (7.71 million) found itself in a dead heat with the first hour of Fox's NLCS Game 5 coverage (7.736 mil). Knight Rider, up 100K week-to-week, placed a very close third, with 7.66 mil. Pushing Daisies finally enjoyed an upward tick, gaining 13 percent to hit 6.3 mil. A Top Model clip show did 3.19 mil.

9 pm
Come 9 pm, the Big 3's coverage of the final presidential debate drew 28.9 million viewers, a drop of 10 mil from the last face-off (which also was covered by Fox). Joe the Plumber, sources tell me exclusively, was busy watching the Phillies pound the Dodgers.

Thursday Ratings: CBS Sweeps Thursday, Hour By Hour

8 pm/ET
Survivor topped the hour with 12.87 million total viewers (down 400K week-to-week). Ugly Betty placed second with 8.2 mil, dipping 230 thou, followed by NBC's combo of Earl (6.5 mil, down eight percent) and Kath & Kim (six mil, plunging 19 percent from its premiere). Smallville, at 4.17 mil (up a hair), bested Hole in the Wall.

9 pm
CSI dropped 18 percent from its season premiere but still lorded over Grey's in total viewers (18.8 million to 14.6). This week, however, Grey's placed No. 1 in the demos. NBC's The Office (8.07 mil) dropped a mil, while Weekend Update Thursday (8.6 mil) declined 18 percent from its debut. Supernatural slipped a hair, to 3.06 mil.

10 pm
Versus last week's dead heat, CBS' Eleventh Hour (12 mil, up 440K) this time around passed ABC's Life on Mars (8.47 mil, plunging 26 percent from its premiere). ER (8.8. mil) said goodbye to not just Abby (sniff!) but also 450,000 of last week's viewers.

Friday Ratings: Life (All Together Now…) Shows Some Life

8 pm/ET
Ghost Whisperer topped the hour with 8.87 million total viewers, dipping just eight percent from last week. The first hour of NBC's Crusoe placed second with 6.79 mil. Wife Swap, at just under five mil, gained 16 percent week-to-week. Behind a 5th Grader repeat, the CW's Chris (1.79 mil) inched up a bit, while The Game (1.8 mil) dipped 90K.

9 pm
The Ex List (6.35 million) rebounded with an 11 percent gain and topped the demos, but was bested in total viewers by the second hour of Crusoe. Supernanny (5.34 mil) added 340 thou.

10 pm
Numbers (8.6 mil) netted a seven percent bump, and was followed by 20/20 (6.87 mil). NBC's Life surged 21 percent to flirt with six mil.

Future Locked: Sarah Connor Secures Full-Season Order

The future for Sarah Connor, if not her boy John, looks bright… er. 

Despite somewhat wavering ratings during its second cycle, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles was granted by Fox a full-season order late Friday night. 

In its most recent, pre-MLB playoffs outing, T:SCC reversed a downward slide by gaining more than a quarter-million viewers, bringing its audience close to the six mil mark — and nearly matching that of critical darling Chuck. 

Thus far this season, Fox has greenlit the far-out freshman drama Fringe for a full season and shelved the sit(non)com Do Not Disturb after a handful of episodes.

George Nolfi To Write Fourth Jason Bourne Film

So what’s the latest on the fourth film in the Jason Bourne series? Last we heard, producer Frank Marshall was hoping to begin shooting next Summer for a 2010 release. Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon have already signed on, all they need now is a script. Today it was announced that Universal is serious about doing a fourth film, hiring George Nolfi to write the script. Not only was Nolfi a co-writer on Bourne Ultimatum, but he also wrote Ocean’s Twelve. 

The next film in the series will not even be loosely based on one of the novels, but will instead be an entirely new adventure (with a possible South American destination). From what I understand, the sequels to the original Robert Ludlum novels left much to be desired. Lets hope that Nolfi can come up with something better.

Almost Confirmed: Brett Ratner To Direct Conan

Aint It Cool News is kinda, sorta, may be, confirming the rumor that Brett Ratner will be directing Conan for Lionsgate. Written by Outlander scribes Dirk Blackman and Howard McCain, the $100 million R-rated tent pole is neither a remake or a sequel, as they are starting over from the original stories. 

Conan was created by Robert E. Howard in a series of fantasy pulp stories published in Weird Tales in the 1930s, later popularized in the 1982 John Milius film Conan the Barbarian, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Earl Jones. 

Why must Brett Ratner keep attaching himself to beloved film properties? Why can’t he direct something original, a stupid spec script that no one cares about. Why must he ruin it for the fans? Ratner, please, if you’re reading this - go direct your Hugh Heffner biopic, and leave Conan, Beverly Hills Cop IV, and God of War to a better suited filmmaker.

Brad Pitt & George Miller Team on The Odyssey

After turning Homer's epic poem "The Iliad" into the 2004 film Troy, Warner Bros. and Brad Pitt are teaming with George Miller to adapt the Greek poet's other masterwork, "The Odyssey." 

Their intention is to transfer the tale to a futuristic setting in outer space. 

Variety says Warner Bros. has quietly set up The Odyssey, and the early hope is that Pitt will star and Miller will direct, with Pitt's Plan B producing. 

Both Homer poems dealt with the Trojan War; "The Odyssey" focused on the exploits of Odysseus, who hatched the idea to build the Trojan Horse. "The Odyssey" deals with his long journey home after he declines to become a god. 

Pitt just began shooting the Quentin Tarantino-directed Inglourious Basterds.

Pitt Has His Eye on the Moneyball

Steve Zaillian has signed on to adapt Michael Lewis' nonfiction bestseller "Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game," and David Frankel is attached to direct. The Columbia Pictures project is being developed as a potential starring vehicle for Brad Pitt. 

Variety says the book's subject is Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, who assembled a contending baseball club on a shoestring budget by employing a sophisticated computer-based analysis to draft players. 

Michael De Luca is producing alongside Rachael Horovitz. 

Stan Chervin wrote an earlier draft based of the book, which Sony optioned in 2004. "Moneyball" was first published by W. W. Norton in 2003.

Warner Bros. Sets Sherlock Holmes Date

Warner Bros. Pictures has set a November 20, 2009 release date for the Guy Ritchie-directed Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong and Kelly Reilly. 

In the thriller, Downey Jr. brings the legendary detective to life as he has never been portrayed before. Jude Law stars as Holmes' trusted colleague, Watson, a doctor and war veteran who is a formidable ally for Sherlock Holmes. Rachel McAdams stars as Irene Adler, the only woman ever to have bested Holmes and who has maintained a tempestuous relationship with the detective. Mark Strong stars as their mysterious new adversary, Blackwood. Kelly Reilly will play Watson's love interest, Mary. 

The only other movie scheduled for that week before Thanksgiving next year is Sony's animated sci-fi tale Planet 51, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Seann William Scott, Gary Oldman and John Cleese.

Sex Drive Creators Sign for New Comedy

Summit Entertainment is teaming up again with Sex Drive creators Sean Anders and John Morris, signing the duo on for a new comedy, says The Hollywood Reporter. 

The untitled project concerns a slacker college student who has a child with a one-night stand and is then forced to care for the baby after the mother is killed in a car crash. 

Both will write the film, with Anders directing and Morris producing.

Once: The Broadway Musical?

John N Hart Jr, Jeffrey Sine and Frederick Zollo have acquired the worldwide rights to produce a stage adaptation of John Carney’s 2007 Irish musical Once. When I interviewed Carney in 2007, he talked briefly about the possibility of a Broadway musical adaptation. 

“Haven’t thought of it at all. I don’t think it would play at all on a stage,” admitted Carney, before quickly adding: “I don’t know, it would be great if someone were to ask for the rights or something. They don’t mess around. When those guys buy the rights for those things, they give you millions!” 

Well looks like Carney’s wishes have come true. The trio hope to have the musical on Broadway for the 2010-2011 season. Stars Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova are expected to be involved in the development process, but aren’t expected to reprise their roles on stage. 

Honestly, I think the only way a Once musical could work is with Glen and Marketa as the stars. I know they aren’t A-list talent (or even b or c list in terms of mainstream audience awareness), but they are the ones who wrote the music, and created the magic in the original indie film. In my 2007 interview, Carney also joked that Jennifer Lopez and Bryan Adams could star in the Broadway version. Lets hope it doesn’t come to that.

Will Arnett Inks Deal with Fox for New Sitcom

Fox is bringing Arrested Development star Will Arnett back to its network. 

Arnett has inked a lucrative development deal, which will give the funnyman and frequent 30 Rock guest star a few extra perks. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the deal, promises Arnett complete creative control over choosing the writers, producers and directors he wants to work with, as well as the content of the show that will be developed for him. 

The deal is not tied to any studio, leaving the door open for a number of writers to pitch ideas for the new series. Arnett has expressed interest in again collaborating with Arrested Development's creator Mitch Hurwitz. Arnett is currently working with Hurwitz on Fox's new animated comedy, Sit Down, Shut Up, doing voice-over work. 

Fox has been chasing Arnett for a while, most recently offering him the starring role in the upcoming sitcom Boldly Going Nowhere.

Steve Carell is Brigadier Gerard!

Steve Carell will play the title character in The Adventures of Brigadier Gerard, a comedy set during the Napoleonic Wars that Media Rights Capital is developing for a spring 2009 production start. 

Variety says the script was written by John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky (Blades of Glory). 

The film is among several that Carell is considering; he plans to star in one or two films during his hiatus after shooting the fifth season of NBC sitcom "The Office." 

Carell will play the title character, the bravest soldier in Napoleon's army and also the dumbest. Gerard follows Napoleon from his rise to power to his permanent exile. The comedy is based on stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

The movie will be produced by Altschuler and executive produced by Mike Judge and Krinsky, both of whom are partners with Altschuler in Ternion, a production company that has a deal with MRC. 

Michael Rotenberg and Tom Lassally also will executive produce.

D.L. Hughley Tapped to Host CNN Show

The most trusted name in news on CNN will soon be D.L. Hughley. 

The comedian has inked a deal with the news net to host his own news-driven comedy show on the network, Variety reports.

Following in the footsteps of Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and now David Alan Grier (Chocolate News), and in an effort by CNN to break into the youth demographic, Hughley will offer a laugh-out-loud (hopefully), skewering take on global happenings in politics, entertainment, sports and pop culture on the show. 

"D.L. is a very thoughtful, well-informed guy with unpredictable views, and I’ve always admired his comedy," said CNN's Jon Klein. "The basic premise of the show is, what if a guy like him was let loose in the CNN building for a weekend after the lights went off?" 

The series, the title of which is being kept under wraps, will premiere Saturday, Oct. 25 at 10 pm/ET and will repeat Sundays at the same time.

NBC Commits to David E. Kelley's New Legal Drama

NBC has given a series commitment to a legal drama from veteran writer David E. Kelley, reports Variety. 

The project represents the first fresh material from Kelley since he moved his production company to Warner Bros. TV in a new deal earlier this year. The premise of the NBC show revolves around a father and daughter who are both lawyers. 

The deal marks the first series from Kelley at NBC since he executive produced Steven Bochco's "L.A. Law" in the late 1980s. Kelley was behind the short-lived NBC reality show "The Law Firm," but most of his recent series -- "Boston Legal," "The Practice," "Ally McBeal," "Boston Public" -- have aired either on ABC or Fox. 

Kelley also had success at CBS in the mid-1990s, with "Chicago Hope" and "Picket Fences."

The Mentalist Gets Full Season Order

CBS has given a full season order to its new drama "The Mentalist," the season's top new freshman series in viewers and adults 25-54. 

"The Mentalist" is averaging 16.14 million viewers (No. 7 among all primetime programs), 5.3/12 in adults 25-54 and 3.8/09 in adults 18-49. "The Mentalist" is the #1 program in its Tuesday (9:00-10:00 PM) time period in viewers and adults 25-54. 

"The Mentalist" stars Golden Globe Award nominee Simon Baker as Patrick Jane, an independent consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI), who has a remarkable track record for solving serious crimes by using his razor sharp skills of observation. 

"The Mentalist" also stars Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman and Amanda Righetti. 

Bruno Heller is executive producer for Warner Bros. Television.

Jim Henson Co. Doing Happytime Murders

The Jim Henson Co. has launched development of the feature Happytime Murders, a puppet comedy in the film noir detective genre, says Variety. 

Henson Co. co-toppers Brian Henson and Lisa Henson will produce along with Jason Lust. Brian Henson, whose helming credits include Muppet Treasure Island and A Muppet Christmas Carol, will direct from a script by Todd Berger and based on a story created by Dee Robertson and Berger. Robertson's executive producing. 

The film will be populated by a mix of human characters and puppets in the Henson style of irreverence and parody. The story centers on a puppet detective forced to solve a string of murders around the Happytime Gang, the cast of a popular children's show.

Warner Bros. Pictures Takes Headshot

Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired screen rights to "Headshot," a three-book graphic novel series by Alexis Nolent that was published in France by Casterman. Alessandro Camon has been set to write the script. 

Variety says the film will be produced by Alexandra Milchan and "Smallville" creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. 

In "Headshot," an unlikely alliance between a cop and a hitman takes place after each watches his partner die. The new partners seek revenge and discover they have a shared enemy and much in common despite being on opposite sides of the law.

Daily Show Duo Team on CBS Sitcom

Married "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" correspondents Jason Jones and Samantha Bee are preparing a jump into the sitcom world, reports Variety. 

Jones and Bee have signed on to co-create and co-write a script for themselves at CBS. The couple would also star in the as-yet-untitled comedy, which will revolve around the behind-the-scenes world of a celebrity chef (played by Jones) and the two women who run his cooking empire (one of whom will be played by Bee). 

Bee has appeared on "The Daily Show" since 2003; she was joined by husband Jones on the show in late 2005.

Showtime Picks Up Perry's End of Steve

Showtime has picked up the pilot "The End of Steve," a dark comedy written and produced by Matthew Perry and Peter Tolan, and starring the longtime "Friends" actor, reports Variety. 

From Sony Pictures TV, the pilot stars Perry as an unhappy, egomaniacal TV talk show host, confined to working on an afternoon show in Rochester, N.Y., and seeking redemption both personally and professionally. 

Perry is starring alongside Zac Efron in Warner's 17 Again, opening in theaters on April 17.

NBC Developing Jason and the Argonauts

NBC is developing a new take on "Jason and the Argonauts," which would be produced as the first-ever green-screen drama developed for primetime, reports Variety. 

Media Rights Capital is behind "Jason," which comes from executive producers Josh and Jonas Pate ("Surface"). 

"Argonauts" represents NBC's second stab this decade at the topic. NBC aired the unrelated Robert Halmi miniseries "Jason and the Argonauts," starring Jason London, Frank Langella and Dennis Hopper, in 2000. 

The Greek myth also has drawn interest in the feature world: Zak Penn is writing and producing The Argonauts for 20th Century Fox, while DreamWorks also has a project titled The Argonauts in the works.

Mel Gibson Passes on Lethal Weapon 5?

The Los Angeles Times spoke to 78-year-old Richard Donner, director and producer of all four "Lethal Weapon" movies, about the proposed Lethal Weapon 5. While Donner isn't involved with the movie, earlier this year it was reported that screenwriter Shane Black and producer Joel Silver were working on a fifth installment of the franchise. Then, last week, actor Columbus Short revealed that he is in talks to play Murtaugh's (Danny Glover) son in the film.

Here are a few of Donner's quotes: 

"Mel turned it down," Donner said. "I would like to think that Mel turned it down because I wasn't involved. Knowing Mel, I would like to think that. Would that be the kind of thing he does? It sure would be." 

"It's too bad, actually, because Channing Gibson, who wrote the fourth one, and Mike Riva, a designer on three of them, and myself and Derek [Hoffman, an associate at The Donner Company] had an incredibly strong story for the fifth movie. But we weren't given the opportunity and I think maybe I could have convinced Mel to do it. But Warners chose to go with Joel Silver." 

"Yes, the project is pretty much dead in the water unless someone had the sense to come to me."

Don Cheadle Replaces Terrence Howard in Iron Man 2

It has always bothered me when a new actor is brought in to replace another actor who has already been established as a franchise character. I don’t think I’m alone in this viewpoint. The first time I noticed this occurrence was when I was a child and Sarah Chalke replaced Alicia Goranson as Becky (otherwise known as the “two beckys”). Sometimes the situation is forced upon a movie studio, like with Richard Harris’ untimely passing, which forced Warner Bros to recast Michael Gambon as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series of films. But other times it just comes down to a disagreement over money. And so appears to be the case with Iron Man 2.

Marvel Studios has hired Don Cheadle to replace Terrence Howard in the upcoming Iron Man sequel. Cheadle will play Jim Rhodes, Tony Stark’s best friend and future War Machine. Director Jon Favreau has made numerous hints that War Machine may play a part in the second film. The Hollywood Reporter’s sources claim it was a conflict due to financial differences. Earlier this year it was widely speculated that Marvel was trying to low ball Favreau with an offer not much higher than his initial payday for the first film. It is not unusual for salaries to double for a sequel, especially when the first film outperformed to the level that Iron Man had. But from what I understand, Marvel believes the superhero characters themselves are the real stars, and many believe they are being very thrifty in their negotiations for their future projects. 

That said, it is difficult to be angry with a a-level actor like Cheadle coming in for the assist.

Fox Hires New Writer For Wall Street Sequel

With the stock market back in the news headlines due, it is no surprise that 20th Century Fox is moving forward with development on the previously announced sequel to Oliver Stone’s 1987 film Wall Street. 21 scribe Allan Loeb has been hired to pen the screenplay. I’ve heard nothing but bad things about Stephen Schiff’s draft of the script which was titled Money Never Sleeps. Loeb will be doing a page one rewrite, and the studio hopes to fast track a sequel into production. 

The story will follow Gordon Gekko, the character Michael Douglas made famous in the 1980’s. Douglas is interested, but has yet to sign on to the project. The sequel will pick up as Gekko has been let go from prison and returns to the world of… you guessed it, Wall Street. Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) will not be featured in the follow-up storyline. But I’m wondering how Gekko will deal with the highly volatile market, where it seems like no one is making money.

Brand New Music Video: Katy Perry - Hot N Cold

Ridley Scott to Film The Forever War

Fox 2000 has acquired rights to Joe Haldeman's 1974 novel "The Forever War," and Ridley Scott is planning to make it into his first science fiction film since he delivered back-to-back classics with Blade Runner and Alien, reports Variety. 

Scott intended to follow those films with The Forever War, but rights complications delayed his plans for more than two decades. 

The film will be produced by Scott Free. Vince Gerardis and Ralph Vicinanza will executive produce. Their company, Created By, represents Haldeman and spent the last decade trying to get back the rights. 

"I first pursued 'Forever War' 25 years ago, and the book has only grown more timely and relevant since," Scott told the trade. "It's a science-fiction epic, a bit of 'The Odyssey' by way of 'Blade Runner,' built upon a brilliant, disorienting premise." 

The book revolves around a soldier who battles an enemy in deep space for only a few months, only to return home to a planet he doesn't recognize some 20 years later, Scott said.

Oasis next album in the bag

In an exclusive interview with Xfm, Noel Gallagher has revealed that the Oasis follow-up to Dig Out Your Soul is already written and demoed. 

In a full on Track-By-Track discussion of the band's new album with Xposure's John Kennedy, Gallagher admitted the band's next album has been written on a miniature kids drum kit in a cupboard-sized studio. 

Talking about 'Dig Out Your Soul' track 'Get Off Your High Horse Lady', he said: "There are another two songs that are really, really brilliant. One called 'I Want To Live In A Dream In My Record Machine' which is a big 'Champagne Supernova', 'Stairway To Heaven' thing, which is amazing. And another one called 'Come On It's Alright' which has a fifty-piece choir signing the chorus on it. 

"I wrote and demoed a full album while we were in the studio. While we were mixing the album in the studio we had another studio that consisted of a cupboard and this little garage band thing in the corner. We bought a miniature kids drum kit and wrote another record." 

Gallagher added the new songs he's written are sounding "sickeningly good". 

"The new stuff is a proper concept. Have you heard Neil Young's 'Greendale'? I say it with a smile on my face because as I'm saying it, I'm thinking 'you pretentious cunt'. It's all songs about characters and all the songs will have titles and in brakets it'll be 'AKA The Shopkeeper'. 

"I've got to say, they're sickeningly good. Dave Sardy (producer) was freaking out saying 'We should record these now'."

Mean Girls Director Helming Fox's Freaky New Series

Mean Girls director Mark Waters has inked a deal to helm the pilot of the new Fox series Eva Adams, Variety reports. 

An adaptation of the Argentinean soap Lalola, the one-hour project is a freaky Freaky Friday of sorts, focusing on a womanizer who wakes up in a lady's body one day and is forced to experience life as the hunted instead of the hunter. Let us guess, it sucks. 

Waters will executive produce Adams along with producing partner Jessica Tuchinsky, Jamie Tarses and Kevin Falls. Falls will pen the script. 

Cast has yet to be announced.

Talking to Bill Murray

Q: You play a hero in "Ghostbusters" and a villain in City of Ember. Is it more fun playing a good guy or a bad guy? And what persuaded you to go back for the rumored "Ghostbusters 3"? 

Murray: Well, you're way ahead of me, but that's okay. There's someone trying to write a script for another "Ghostbusters" movie. There's two fellows from "The Office" that are writing a script, but I have yet to see it. And I'm more involved with, you know, trying to get the dessert we order at lunch than I am with the new "Ghostbusters" sequel. (Laughter) But it's possible. It's a great idea that they hired these two guys to do it, 'cause I think it could be a fresh look at it. And it could be funny. We did a sequel and it was rather unsatisfying for me, because the first one to me was 'the goods.' It was the real thing, and the sequel, you know, it was a few years later, and there was an idea pitched. They got us all together in a room. We just laughed for a couple of hours, and then they said, "What if we did another one? Here's an idea these guys have got." So they had this idea, but it didn't turn out to be the idea when I arrived on the set. They'd written a whole different movie. And the special effects guys got their hands on it, and it was just not the same movie. There were a few great scenes in it, but it wasn't the same movie. So there's never been an interest in a third "Ghostbusters" 'cause the second one was kind of disappointing, for me, anyway. But the third one could happen. 

But you asked me a question about bein' a bad guy and a good guy. It's so much easier to be a bad guy. It's a piece a cake. It's a joke. (Laughter) And, you know, I keep saying, "Why do they give Oscars to guys that play bad guys," 'cause it's so simple. Play a good guy some time. That's hard. Play a really, decent good person. That's hard. 

Q: So would you go back for "Ghostbusters" again? 

Murray: Only if I could play an evil person. (Laughter) No, it's mostly all about the script. I don't have any obligation to the franchise or anyone. If the script were good and I thought we could do it, it'd be fun. But, you know, it's only now that this has ever been a prospect. No one's ever talked about it for a long time, 'cause the second one was the way it was. This is just kind of a clever idea. I think they see that, and the fact that every interview today has asked me about the "Ghostbusters" movie--every single person--means that there is some interest for it. You think you're talking about the "City of Ember," but I've answered as many questions about the "Ghostbusters" as I have about… well, not as many, but, I mean, on every single one. So there's interest in it.

Who Needs a Quarantine or Lies... ?

The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend. Click here for the full box office estimates of the top 12 films and then check back on Monday for the final figures based on actual box office. 

Four new movies opened in wide release this weekend but despite a plethora of starpower and strong genres, nothing was able to dethrone Disney's Beverly Hills Chihuahua, which remained on top with an estimated $17.5 million to bring its total to $52.4 million. 

The biggest surprise of the weekend might have been the R-rated horror movie Quarantine (Screen Gems) winning the weekend over Ridley Scott's latest Body of Lies, despite its dual starpower in Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. The Screen Gems horror movie brought in an estimated $14.2 million in 2,461 theaters, averaging $5700 per site, while Scott's political thriller ended up with $13.1 million in 250 more theaters. 

DreamWorks' Eagle Eye starring Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan dropped 38% to fourth place, amassing $11 million in its third weekend to cross the $70 million mark.

The teen romantic comedy Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (Screen Gems) starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings dropped two places to #5 with $6.5 million in its second weekend, bringing its own total to $21 million. 

Despite good reviews and the widest release of the new movies, Universal's football drama The Express starring Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid opened in sixth place with just $4.7 million in its 2,800 theaters, averaging less than $1,700 per site. 

In seventh place, the romantic drama Nights in Rodanthe (Warner Bros.), reuniting Richard Gere and Diane Lane, made $4.6 million this weekend to bring its total to $32.4 million. 

The Ed Harris-directed Western Appaloosa (New Line/WB) dropped just 34% in its second weekend in wide release taking 8th place with $3.3 million with a running total of $11 million. 

After three weeks in limited release, the Keira Knightley period piece The Duchess (Paramount Vantage) expanded nationwide into 1,200 theaters, ending up neck and neck with Appaloosa, after opening in the same September weekend. By comparison, the period drama co-starring Ralph Fiennes and Dominic Cooper has only grossed $5.6 million. 

Rounding out the Top 10, Fox Walden's latest, the fantasy-adventure City of Ember, starring Saorsie Ronan, Bill Murray and Tim Robbins, bombed with just $3.2 million in over 2,000 theaters, doing even worse than Fox Walden's October '07 offering The Seeker. 

The Top 10 grossed an estimated $81.5 million over the weekend, roughly a million more than the same weekend last year. 

In limited release, Guy Ritchie's fifth movie RocknRolla opened in seven theaters in New York, L.A. and Toronto, taking in $141 thousand, while fellow Brit Mike Leigh's latest Happy-Go-Lucky grossed $80 thousand in its first weekend in three fewer theaters.

Good Charlotte Goes Dance On Remix Set

Putting a club-friendly twist on the greatest hits compilation, Good Charlotte will on Nov. 25 unveil "The Greatest Remixes," featuring new, dance-y versions of tracks like "Little Things," "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," "The Anthem" and "I Just Wanna Live."

The band has brought in a star-studded lineup of producers for the album, including members of Fall Out Boy, ... The Academy Is and Linkin Park's Joseph Hahn. Executive produced by Good Charlotte's Joel Madden, the album is geared toward the pop fans that made "I Don't Want To Be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem)," from the 2007 album "Good Morning Revival" a surprise Hot 100 hit.

Although details are still coming together, Joel Madden and brother Benji will DJ at a series of parties in conjunction with the release of "Greatest Remixes."

Here is the track list for "The Greatest Remixes," with remixer in parenthesis:

"Los Angeles World Wide" (Junior Sanchez)
"Anxiety" (Don Gilmore)
"Broken Hearts" (Marshall Arts remix)
"Fight Song" featuring Game (Jay E)
"Hands Off" Bubba Sparxx & Jung Tru (Jay E)
"I Just Wanna Live" (Teddy Reilly)
"The Anthem" featuring Hollywood Holt (Million Mano)
"Little Things"
"All Black" featuring Mat Devine of Kill Hannah (White Tie Affair)
"I Don't Want To Be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem)" (Metro Station)
"Predictable" featuring Rahzii Hi Power (STRESS)
"Girls & Boys" (Ed Banger Allstars)
"Young & Hopeless" (Joe Hahn)
"Hold On" (... the Academy Is)
"Where Would We Be Now" (Trouble Maker)

Weekly Ratings: 10/5 – 10/10

Sunday Ratings: Raise Your Hand if You Watched the CW

7 pm/ET
60 Minutes dominated with 19 million total viewers. Placing a close fifth was the CW's In Harm's Way, which premiered to 676,000.

8 pm
Amazing Race surged 32 percent week-to-week to average 13.6 mil and top the first half hour (until NBC football came along). Similarly, Extreme Makeover (11.75 mil) was up 23 percent. The Simpsons (7.4 mil) plunged 20 percent from its opener. The CW's Valentine didn't get much love, premiering to 1.1 mil.

9 pm
Housewives was No. 1 in viewers (15.5 mil, down 15 percent from its premiere) and demos, followed by Cold Case (10.7 mil, sliding a hair). The CW's Easy Money drew 1.08 mil in its debut.

10 pm
The race for second (behind football) was neck-and-neck, as The Unit added 900K to hit 10.65 mil, while Brothers & Sisters slipped 13 percent, to 10.62 mil. (ABC, of course, enjoyed the prettier demos.)

Monday Ratings: CBS' Comedies Are (Mostly) Looking Pretty

8 pm/ET
Dancing with the Stars was the night's most-watched program, holding relatively steady week-to-week with 18.8 million total viewers. CBS' comedy combo of Big Bang (9.33 mil) and Mother (8.96 mil) continues to pack some punch, with the laffers gaining 615K and 150K, respectively. Chuck, dipping 11 percent (to 5.89 million), was nearly terminated by Sarah Connor (5.6 mil), which enjoyed a gain of 280 thousand.

9 pm
Two and a Half Men placed a strong second behind DWTS (and bested the ABC juggernaut in demos), inching up to 13.94 million viewers. Lead-out Worst Week, however, dropped another 500K, to 8.79 mil — or 63 percent retention. Heroes (8.2 mil) slipped another 12 percent, while Prison Break (5.43 mil) added 170 thou.

10 pm
CSI: Miami drew 13.6 mil, shedding 700K (as Horatio continues to glare at Kyle Bornheimer.) Boston Legal placed second with 9.4 mil (down 400K). NBC's Life (5.78 million) was down more than a mil from its week-ago premiere, yet up a bit from its original Friday outing.

Tuesday Ratings: 63.2 Million Turn Out for Debate, My Friends

Not much to report on this Tuesday's tallies, seeing as Presidential Debate 2: The Maverick Vs. That One filled much of the night, delivering 63.23 million viewers on broadcast and cable networks. That's larger than the audience for McCain and Obama's Sept. 26 face-off, yet well shy of the 70 mil who showed up for last week's vice-presidential tete-a-tete.

Elsewhere.... NCIS took the 8 o'clock hour, drawing 15.7 million viewers (down 1.5 mil week-to-week) to Dancing with the Stars' 13.45 mil (slipping 11 percent). Placing third, The Biggest Loser (7.49 mil) gained a pound or two.

The CW's 90210 did a typical-ish 3.06 mil, while lead-out Privileged enjoyed a 24 percent increase ─ to 2.33 mil, mind you ─ likely due to debate fatigue.

Wednesday Ratings: Daisies Wilts, as Christine Looks Better

8 pm/ET
Bones gained 520K week-to-week to top the hour with 10.34 million total viewers. CBS' comedy combo of Old Christine (7.64 mil, up 11 percent) and Gary Unmarried (7.43 mil, up 450 thou) placed second. Knight Rider dipped to 7.56 mil but still drove past Pushing Daisies (5.55 mil), which itself dropped 12 percent. Top Model did a typical 3.88 mil.

9 pm
Criminal Minds was up nearly 10 percent, to 15.9 mil, while Private Practice (7.26 mil) slipped 743K. Behind Biggest Loser (6.56 mil), a pair of 'Til Deaths averaged 4.47 mil.

10 pm
CSI: NY dominated with 15.86 million viewers (up eight percent). The thoroughly frothy and enjoyable Dirty Sexy Money plunged 16 percent from its season premiere, to about six mil. Lipstick Jungle (4.77 mil) dropped 10 percent.

Thursday Ratings: Death Becomes CSI, Mars Shows Life

8 pm/ET
Survivor: Gabon this week topped the hour (and demos) with 13.3 million total viewers, up 450K. Placing second, Ugly Betty held steady at 8.48 mil. NBC's Earl matched last week's 7.1 mil, while brand-new lead-out Kath & Kim added 360 thou to that count. Smallville inched up 130K, to 4.08 mil.

9 pm
CSI returned to an audience of 22.99 mil, down just seven percent from its previous opener, and was No. 1 in demos as well. Grey's Anatomy dropped 20 percent from its premièring, delivering 14.54 mil. The Office did a typical nine mil, then SNL's new Thursday showcase built the audience to 10.6 mil. (Yeah, that’s the ticket!) Supernatural slid 430 thou, to 3.14 mil.

10 pm
It was neck-and-neck for dueling newbies Life on Mars (11.6 million) and Eleventh Hour (11.59 mil), though ABC came out on top in the key demos. As a Grey's lead-out, Mars improved on Big Shots' year-ago performance by three million heads. Eleventh Hour, meanwhile, demonstrated 50 percent retention of CSI's premiere audience, whereas Without a Trace delivered 67 percent last September.

Friday Ratings: Ex Listless While 'Nanny Supes Up

8 pm/ET
Ghost Whisperer gained 150K from its premiere to top the night with 9.45 million total viewers. 5th Grader placed second with 5.79 mil, followed by Wife Swap (4.29 mil) and America's Toughest Jobs (3.95 mil). The CW's Chris dipped 240 thou, to 1.76 million, while lead-out The Game held steady at 1.9 mil.

9 pm
Deal or No Deal (6.53 million) this week trumped The Ex List (5.7 mil), which plunged 17 percent from its debut to only retain 60 percent of Love's love. Supernanny (five mil, up 20 percent) and Lyrics (4.87 mil, up 12 percent) both saw gains.

10 pm
Despite Ex's listlessness, Numbers only dipped 100K, to eight mil. 20/20 followed with seven mil, while NBC's Life (4.92 mil) lost 530K week-to-week.