Teri Everett ankles News Corp.

HendersonEverettNews Corp.'s top flack is walking lower.Teri Everett, senior Vice president corporate matters and communications, will exit her publish on February. 10. Julie Henderson will replace her, presuming the brand new publish of chief communications officer."I'm hugely grateful to Teri for leading our communications efforts so expertly recently,Inch Rupert Murdoch, chairman/Boss of News Corp.Henderson, who formerly offered as senior Vice president communications and corporate strategy, reported to both Everett and News Corp. leader Chase Carey, to whom she'll still report.Henderson continues to be continuously rising within News Corp. over her 5 years with the organization, most lately investing lots of time working in london with Murdoch because the conglom suggests using the fallout in the hacking scandal. She would be the top gatekeeper for that mogul, that has been greater profile than ever before as he's come to indicating themself directly via Twitter in recent several weeks.Henderson continues to be with News Corp. since 2006, beginning in the now defunct Fox Interactive Media division. Just before using the publish she went digital unit at MPRM Pr. She'll split her time between NY and La.Whilst former News Corp. leader/COO Peter Chernin was the one that first elevated Henderson from FIM right into a larger role managing West Coast communications issues for the organization, it had been Carey who required her profile in the conglom one stage further. This past year, he marketed Henderson to some more proper-oriented role that saw her move beyond PR to duties regarding driving greater synergies between all the company's models. "News Corp. professionals really are a peerless group and that i will miss them hugely," stated Everett, who had been with the organization for ten years. "Although it might be a tired clich, I'm ready for something different.Inch Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Excalibur Star Nicol Williamson Dies

Exorcist III actor was 73Scottish actor Nicol Williamson has died aged 73, reports The Daily Telegraph. According to his son Luke, the stage and screen actor died of esophageal cancer on December 16. He was best known for his roles in Excalibur and The Exorcist III, as well as a long and much acclaimed stage career.Williamson was a star turn as Merlin in John Boorman's dark folk fantasy Excalibur, in which he was reluctantly cast alongside former lover Helen Mirren. Boorman's mischief-making paid off: the pair share the best scenes in the film, with Mirren's Morgana and Williamson's wizard playing wittily off against each other. Williamson and Mirren had worked together once before, although much less auspiciously, in a radical staging of Macbeth. The Hamilton-born actor made his name in John Osbourne's Inadmissible Evidence for which he received great acclaim and, later, a Tony award on Broadway. Osborne later described him as the greatest actor since Brando, a claim another playwright, Samuel Beckett, would corroborate. He was an actor, said Beckett, "touched by genius". Williamson's last screen outing came in 1997's comic-book noir Spawn in which he played a demon-cum-mentor to Michael Jai White's superhero. "By the time he'd made Spawn, he was done with it," Luke Williamson told Empire. More recently, he'd worked with his son on musical collaborations that showcased his diverse interests. The actor's rich and occasionally tempestuous life took him not just to Hollywood, but into the corridors of power. Harold Wilson was so impressed by his performance in Tony Richardson's Hamlet that he commended him to Richard Nixon. The result was an invitation to perform at one of the president's 'Evening at the White House' series.But Williamson was prouder of his performance as a different kind of politician, in the movie-length adaptation of The Resistable Rise Of Arturo Uri. He played a Hitler-like protagonist in the BBC's potent take on Bertolt Brecht's rise-of-the-Nazis parable. He also spoke fondly of a rare bad guy role alongside Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine in 1975 thriller The Wilby Conspiracy. Richard Lester's Robin And Marian, meanwhile, brought a much-valued opportunity to work with Audrey Hepburn.The actor, who was known as a straighforward, private man, leaves his son, Luke. "He was the most honest, funny and intelligent man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing," writes Luke on Williamson's official website. "He was my father and words cannot adequately express how proud I am of him."

Beverly McDermott dies at 83

Beverly McDermott, a casting director for movies and television more than 4 decades together with a producer of musicvideos and documentaries, died Jan. 19 in Hollywood, Fla. She was 83. McDermott cast films including Bob Fosse's "Lenny," "Airport terminal terminal '77" and each one of the "Cocoon" photos, too for TV, she did the area Miami casting for your pilot to Michael Mann's "Miami Vice" series. She also did location casting in Florida for John Frankenheimer thriller "Black Sunday," Burt Reynolds' 1985 directorial effort "Stick" as well as the 1989-90 Reynolds TV series "B.L. Stryker." McDermott was nominated for your Casting Society of America's Artios Award on her behalf work casting "Cocoon" which is follow-up. She made her (uncredited) debut just like a casting director round the 1967 detective film "Tony Rome," starring Frank Sinatra and shot in Miami. Other credits as casting director include 1977's "The Best,Inch starring Muhammad Ali the The the spanish language language film "Miss Caribe" as well as the Italian actioner "Hammerhead." She last offered as casting director round the 2005 film "Gamers Anonymous," which she appeared to become an connect producer. McDermott happen to be a talent agent in Florida before entering the casting biz relatively late around. Earlier, she will be a manager and booking agent for just about any nightclub near Boston. Also through the 19 fifties she discovered singer Freddy Cannon. She and her husband, Jack, handled Cannon additionally to Boston rock group the G-Cleffs. She co-produced Judy Garland's appearance within the Miami Beach Convention Center after which produced the comeback performance of Connie Francis in 1989. McDermott also offered as first V . p . of girls in the Film Industry (WOMPI). She's managed to get by her husband a boy together with a daughter a brother together with a sister. A memorial service will probably be held Saturday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m. at Landmark Funeral Home in Hollywood, Fla. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

MTV Movie Brawl 2012 Final Round: 'Hunger Games' Vs. 'Cosmopolis'

It began with 32 movies. Five additional films entered the fray through the Wild Card round. Several weeks and head-to-head battles later, it all comes down to two: "Cosmopolis" versus "The Hunger Games." In one corner is the Robert Pattinson-starring thriller about one extremely bad day in Manhattan. In the other, the story of a young woman forced to take extreme measures to protect herself and the people she loves. One film an underdog in this competition, the other a frontrunner from the very beginning. Both have had extraordinary arcs throughout the MTV Movie Brawl 2012, but only one can walk away with the title of can't-miss movie of the year. The Movie Brawl's final round is open for voting until 5PM EST on Monday (January 23). Only then will we finally know which movie stands at the top of the heap in the brawl for it all!

Chris Evans May Join Snow Piercer

Bong Joon-ho wants him to obtain coldWhile he's most carefully recognized with Captain America right now, Chris Evans is ensuring he makes use of the fireplace it's lit under his career to push it in interesting directions. He's now in discussions to star in Host director Bong Joon-ho's Snow Piercer. Although it seems like he'd be playing another super hero (one having a slightly odd-sounding energy - "Iam the Snow Piercer!""That which you do inside your personal time is the own problem, mate"), it's really an indie occur a frigid realm of snow and ice, and centered on a train filled with vacationers who're battling to outlive both conditions and one another.There is no word on which exactly Evans is going to be playing if he locks inside a deal, but when he is doing sign up, he'll are accountable to the Prague occur March to begin shooting.Bong Joon-ho, who last made crime thriller Mother, has written Snow Piercer with another leading light of Korean Cinema, Oldboy director Park Chan-Wook.Evans will next appear inside a little film known as The Avengers (due April 27) and it is at the office now around the Iceman, the storyline of killer Richard Kuklinski (Michael Shannon) who stored his mob assassin side hidden from his family.

Wall Street mulls deal's benefits

Wall Street's initial undertake the Lionsgate-Summit Entertainment combination is the fact that Summit's debt was somewhat greater than anticipated. Financial experts also stated they wish to be aware of professional-forma equity stake that Summit's proprietors and managers will get within the deal, in addition to some detail about Summit's financials to be able to value the combined company. Lionsgate stated the offer was funded mostly through money on Summit's balance sheet. It did not say just how much that amount is, however it appears like the amount could be about $240 million, considering that the relaxation from the $412 million acquisition is going to be taken care of via a mix of Lionsgate cash and stock and bond sales worth $170 million. Summit's existing term loan -- "greater than I figured,Inch stated Ben Mogil of Stifel Nicolaus -- was refinanced having a $500 million debt facility guaranteed by Summit assets. The borrowed funds matures in 2016 but Lionsgate stated it anticipates payment "prior toInch the maturity date because of the functional income expected from Summit's business. Lionsgate stated the transaction, basically a utilized buyout, is anticipated to become considerably accretive to earnings for that 2013 fiscal year beginning in April. Mogil had predicted the collective franchise of Summit's five "Twilight" films will turn out $1.4 billion in revenue through 2017. Backing out royalties and participation obligations, and marketing and distribution costs, that will mean internet free income of $1 billion for Lionsgate over individuals 5 years -- excluding merger-related synergies. That leaves lots of cash for Lionsgate despite its smart lower Summit's debt. Actually, the offer itself, despite being the hookup of two creative content companies, is viewed in the pub like a purely an economic transaction to ensure Lionsgate an increase of low-risk, fresh cash. "I do not think anybody could argue by using it. But it is almost an economic investment, some receivables" from 'Twilight,'?" stated RBC Capital analyst David Bank. "It's what financial traders do, which men are great at this,Inch he added, mentioning to Lionsgate co-chairman and Boss Jon Feltheimer and vice chairman Michael Burns. "Time will inform if there have been better things related to the moneyInch than buy Summit, Bank stated. The emergency for Lionsgate to accomplish the offer, so it has started around since 2008, has elevated some questions. "One would need to request, 'Why could it be essential to allow them to buy this financial resource?'?" Bank stated. "Is Lionsgate concerned about its very own income moving forward?Inch Cash surely will begin streaming in from Summit profits on the newest "Twilight" release ("Breaking Beginning -- Part 1"), along with the approaching final installment ("Breaking Beginning -- Part 2," due in theaters in November), and in the "evergreen" advantages of a set that's fairly foreseeable. Because cash outlays for "Twilight" will conclude using the final pic, all subsequent revenue becomes free income for that studio. "You will find always nuances in movies when it comes to pay contracts and all sorts of that. However, you remove lots of overhead (by mixing procedures) and without effort that ($400 million) feels as though an acceptable number, stated Matthew Harrigan of Wunderlich Investments. Numerous experts stated, however, that with no more financial particulars on Summit's business you can't really value the agreement with any certainty. Mogil believed the three final "Twilight" films will generate revenue of $200 million between 2012 and 2017. The final two will turn out first-cycle revenue around $1.2 billion -- minus $200 million from costs connected using the theatrical discharge of "Breaking Beginning -- Part 1" and minimum foreign guarantees. He sees the 2 photos producing additional second-cycle revenue of $200 million. Harrigan includes a "buy" recommendation on Lionsgate and it has been predicting a large uptick in income without or with Summit, partially due to former The new sony television professional Feltheimer's success around the TV side. He stated he sees 2012 as something of the transition year having a potential triple-digit uptick in income in 2013. Lionsgate may be the studio behind cable staples "Weeds," "Mad Males" and "Nurse Jackie." Its new Epix pay-TV partnership with Vital an MGM is lucrative because of its well-timed and groundbreaking output cope with Netflix. All agree the security of Summit money is timely like a hedge against the potential of a disappointing performance by "The Hunger Games." Lionsgate is relying on the greatly over-blown film opening in March and in line with the Suzanne Collins trilogy to bring in the dollars and launch a effective new franchise. It is a good risk, but nonetheless a danger. Openly exchanged stand alone galleries like Lionsgate and DreamWorks Animation are unusual in media space, as well as their shares -- and investor sentiment -- can ricochet around the failure or success of 1 large film. Lionsgate management may also be pilloried if this moves from decently listed photos, most strongly by corporate raider Carl Icahn, who lately attempted but unsuccessful to set up a brand new board to remake the executive suite. The studio had three high-profile poor performers this past year having a "Conan the Barbarian" reboot, "Abduction" and "Warrior." "The Hunger Games," at $80 million, may be the most expensive pic ever for Lionsgate. But Hollywood and Wall Street are generally keeping the belief that it'll function as the bonanza everybody needs. Stated Harrigan: "It's type of entered the stage where there's lots of doubt, meaning it's got a lot attention popular culture-smart it's nearly impossible it will not perform a large number." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Mekhi Phifer Tries to Become accustomed to Broadway Screams

NY (AP) Mekhi Phifer just sits there to being screamed at, but it is part of his Broadway debut.The 37-year-old actor, most broadly known for your TV series "ER" as well as the film "8 Mile," is discovering that audiences aren't quiet as you're watching him in "Stick Fly," Lydia R. Diamond's complex drama in regards to a black family."People are spirited after they look at this play," according to him, laughing.Both white-colored and black audience people inside the Cort Theatre are recognized to burst by helping cover their spontaneous advice for your stars to be able to otherwise clearly telegraph their reaction to dramatic situations. "I desired to become accustomed to that," according to him. "It isn't so typical for Broadway no less than the Broadway plays that I've come across.InchPhifer plays Switch LeVay, a effective plastic surgeon and ladies' guy who attended Exeter and Harvard. Sparks fly because he and also the youthful brother bring their unique female buddies one black, one white-colored to fulfill their parents at their lavish summer season getaway on Martha's Vineyard.Phifer, whose acting career began because he won charge in director Spike Lee's "Clockers," is not what you'd call a stage veteran. Actually, "Stick Fly" marks his professional stage debut. But Phifer is hardly intimidated."Just being there live before an audience is an extremely exhilarating feeling," according to him. "It's certainly another machine but I get a good time since you will find a new challenge I learn each night.InchProduced by music artist Alicia Secrets, the play offers the New You'll be able to-elevated Phifer a powerful way to get his theater foot wet. He's close to his roots, can gain understanding in the ensemble and need not dance. "It had been really a perfect piece. It really had the very best volume of energy, the correct amount of intrigue, the correct amount of anxiety," according to him. "It didn't appear as an average Broadway play."Like Phifer, which has carried out his share of streetwise tough males, reaches play an educated wealthy guy whose secrets unspool progressively throughout the time from the performance. According to him he likes the opportunity to maneuver past race and explore humanity."There's without doubt that i'm African-American. OK? I'm a black guy. We will not escape that. However love getting past might, since the play continues, you're just sightseeing,Inch according to him. "That's one of the primary items that came me towards this role which play it might be anybody."Phifer might be the theater newbie inside an accomplished cast including Emmy Award nominee Dule Hill ("Psych," ''The West Wing"), Tracie Thoms ("Rent"), Tony Award-champion Ruben Santiago-Hudson ("Lackawanna Blues"), Rosie Benton ("Ces Liaisons Dangereuses") and Condola Rashad ("Destroyed").So tight might be the cast they have develop their unique lyrics towards the initial music Secrets has written for spots involving the play's moments. The comfort of occasions, they warm-up together, eat communally and go out for drinks just like a group after."It definitely is a pleasure when you're dealing with utilize individuals who you actually enjoy,Inch Phifer states. "We spend some time if we are within the theater. We sit inside the hallways or sit back around the steps and yap up.InchHe hopes the truly amazing feeling will bleed to the audience, that's been proven to become so boisterous that lines get drowned out. (His advice when happens: "You might want to determine it two occasions.") He wants everyone else being intrigued, triggered after which discuss all it."If you leave the play, you're feeling good. You ought to get available and have a glass or two. You have to discuss it. You have to visit consume. You wouldn't like the evening being over. But that's just what the Broadway experience needs to be about," according to him. "Our play gives itself compared to that energy which attitude."Director Kenny Leon remains wanting to help Phifer make his Broadway debut because the 2 were slated to use together with an ill-fated chance a few years to mount a output of "Guess Who's Going to Dinner.""At the rear of my ideas, I've always aspired to make use of Mekhi," Leon states. "He's presence. He's charisma. He's exactly what great stars have, except he'd never done a play before."When that time finally happened, Leon was amazed because when humble the youthful actor was because he walked to the testing room. "It's surprising simply how much he's learned within this short volume of time," Leon states. "The benefit if this involves the transition from film to stage I don't think I've come across it happen similar to this. I possibly could not be pleased with what he's doing on that stage."Phifer was produced in Harlem and elevated by his mother, Rhoda, a choreographer and schoolteacher who always advised her boy being creative. After beating out 100s for anywhere in "Clockers" around the whim he got his headshot inside a Woolworths near to the audition site Phifer has received a varied career, the one that has already established him from "Honey" with Jessica Alba and "Soul Food" with Vanessa Williams to "Start of the Dead," music videos like Brandy and Monica's "This Boy Is Mine" as well as the 2007 romantic comedy "This Christmas.""I really deeply love being onstage. Whilst a young child, I used to be (a) artist. Local talent shows, local every aspect. When break dancing was out, I break danced. When rapping was the main one factor, I freestyled rap round the street and fought against and many types of that kind of stuff," according to him. "I'm a student of the sport. I'm never not learning."His TV looks include "NY Undercover," Fox's "Mislead Me," HBO's "A Lesson Before Dying" and "The Tuskegee Airmen," and also the ABC television special "Brian's Song." He's particularly proud he showed up an element inside the Starz series "Torchwood: Miracle Day" just like a CIA agent after producers were not able to to discover a white-colored actor. So striking happens the first time is only a logical extension from the guy trying to understand.InchI've arrived at be rather honest: I caught the theater bug and i'm about Broadway at this time around,Inch according to him. "It might be frightening however, you need to have a very certain strength and fortitude about you.Inchhave gifts."Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Mark Kennedy The month of the month of january 9, 2012 PHOTO CREDIT AP Photo/Charles Sykes NY (AP) Mekhi Phifer just sits there to being screamed at, but it's part of his Broadway debut.The 37-year-old actor, most broadly known for your TV series "ER" as well as the film "8 Mile," is discovering that audiences aren't quiet as you are watching him in "Stick Fly," Lydia R. Diamond's complex drama of a black family."People are spirited after they look at this play," according to him, laughing.Both white-colored and black audience people inside the Cort Theatre are acknowledged to burst by helping cover their spontaneous advice for your stars to be able to otherwise clearly telegraph their reaction to dramatic situations. "I desired to become accustomed to that," according to him. "It isn't so typical for Broadway no less than the Broadway plays that I've come across.InchPhifer plays Switch LeVay, a effective plastic surgeon and ladies' guy who attended Exeter and Harvard. Sparks fly because he and also the youthful brother bring their unique female buddies one black, one white-colored to fulfill their parents at their lavish summer season getaway on Martha's Vineyard.Phifer, whose acting career began because he won charge in director Spike Lee's "Clockers," is not what you'd call a stage veteran. Really, "Stick Fly" marks his professional stage debut. But Phifer is hardly intimidated."Just being there live before an audience is an extremely exhilarating feeling," according to him. "It's certainly another machine but I get a good time since you will find a new challenge I learn each night.InchProduced by music artist Alicia Secrets, the play offers the NY-elevated Phifer a powerful way to get his theater foot wet. He's close to his roots, can gain understanding in the ensemble and need not dance. "It had been really a perfect piece. It really had the correct amount of a person's, the correct amount of intrigue, the correct amount of anxiety," according to him. "It didn't appear as an average Broadway play."Like Phifer, which has carried out his share of streetwise tough males, reaches play an educated wealthy guy whose secrets unspool progressively throughout the time from the performance. According to him he likes the opportunity to maneuver past race and explore humanity."There's without doubt that i'm African-American. OK? I'm a black guy. We will not escape that. However love getting past might, since the play continues, you're just sightseeing,Inch according to him. "That's one of the primary items that came me towards this role which play it might be anybody."Phifer might be the theater newbie inside an accomplished cast including Emmy Award nominee Dule Hill ("Psych," ''The West Wing"), Tracie Thoms ("Rent"), Tony Award-champion Ruben Santiago-Hudson ("Lackawanna Blues"), Rosie Benton ("Ces Liaisons Dangereuses") and Condola Rashad ("Destroyed").So tight might be the cast they have develop their unique lyrics for the original music Secrets has written for spots involving the play's moments. The comfort of occasions, they warm-up together, eat communally and go out for drinks just like a group after."It definitely is a pleasure when you're dealing with utilize individuals who you actually enjoy,Inch Phifer states. "We spend some time if we are within the theater. We sit inside the hallways or sit back around the steps and yap up.InchHe hopes the truly amazing feeling will bleed to the audience, that's been proven to become so boisterous that lines get drowned out. (His advice when happens: "You might want to determine it two occasions.") He wants everyone else being intrigued, triggered after which discuss everything.InchWhenever you depart the play, you're feeling good. You ought to get available and have a glass or two. You have to discuss it. You have to visit consume. You wouldn't like the evening being over. But that's exactly what the Broadway experience needs to be about," according to him. "Our play gives itself compared to that energy which attitude."Director Kenny Leon remains wanting to help Phifer make his Broadway debut because the 2 were slated to use along with an ill-fated chance a few years to mount a output of "Guess Who's Going to Dinner.""At the rear of my ideas, I've always aspired to make use of Mekhi," Leon states. "He's presence. He's charisma. He's precisely what all great stars have, except he'd never done a play before."When that time finally happened, Leon was amazed because when humble the youthful actor was because he walked to the testing room. "It's surprising simply how much he's learned within this very little time,Inch Leon states. "The benefit if this involves the transition from film to stage I don't think I've come across it happen similar to this. I possibly could not be pleased with what he's doing on that stage."Phifer was produced in Harlem and elevated by his mother, Rhoda, a choreographer and schoolteacher who always advised her boy being creative. After beating out 100s for anywhere in "Clockers" impulsively he got his headshot inside a Woolworths near to the audition site Phifer has received a varied career, the one that has already established him from "Honey" with Jessica Alba and "Soul Food" with Vanessa Williams to "Beginning in the Dead," music videos like Brandy and Monica's "This Boy Is Mine" as well as the 2007 romantic comedy "This Christmas.""I really deeply love being onstage. Whilst a young child, I used to be (a) artist. Local talent shows, local every aspect. When break dancing was out, I break danced. When rapping was the main one factor, I freestyled rap all the time and fought against and many types of that kind of stuff," according to him. "I'm a student of the sport. I'm never not learning."His TV looks include "NY Undercover," Fox's "Mislead Me," HBO's "A Lesson Before Dying" and "The Tuskegee Airmen," as well as the ABC television special "Brian's Song." He's particularly proud he showed up an element inside the Starz series "Torchwood: Miracle Day" just like a CIA agent after producers were not able to to discover a white-colored actor. So striking happens the first time is only a logical extension from the guy trying to understand.InchI've arrived at be rather honest: I caught the theater bug and i'm about Broadway at this time around,Inch according to him. "It might be frightening but you'll need a particular strength and fortitude about you.Inchhave gifts."Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Watercooler: It's Absolutely Fabulous to possess Patsy and Edina Back!

Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley Sweetie darlings!After too long away (and 2 years within the clink for Saffy), the British boozebags of Absolutely Fabulous came back last evening to clink cheers for their 20th anniversary of los angeles Croix and-grade pharmaceutical drugs using the to begin three special episodes. Which is so bloody Fabulous to possess it well.Final observed in 2004, Pats and Eddy are in possession of an entire " new world " of popular culture to clown on, whether it is the Kardashians, Twitter or even the original Danish version from the Killing, that have been all skewered throughout last night's episode, among the patently cheeky cocktail of unfortunate fashion options, drug references and age-denial gags we have come to anticipate from the Stoli-swilling Laverne & Shirley from across water-feature. The industry positive thing, because the primary plot - Saffy's prison Best friend switched to function as the drug dealer Pats stiffed years earlier - wasn't as "insta-classic" as some past Abs. Still, it had been a hoot to behold that old women getting into the groove of acting badly and that we can't wait to determine the things they can get into (couture and story-smart) when BBC America and Loga air the 2nd and third special offers later this season.Had been you completely daft within the duo's return?Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!