Producer Dan Halsted Inks First-Look Development Deal With Fox TV Studios (Exclusive)

Jojo Whilden/ Lionsgate Lionsgate has been sued by a consulting firm that alleges it is owed money for services provided to help its slate of films garner Academy Award nominations. The work is said to have resulted in an Oscar nod for Nicole Kidman in the best actress category for Rabbit Hole, and the firm says it is entitled to $61,500 plus interest.our editor recommendsNicole Kidman, Director Philip Noyce Set for 'My Wild Life' (AFM 2011) PHOTOS: 2011 Oscars Red Carpet The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court earlier this month by CBB Consulting, which says it was contracted in August 2010 to provide logistical services in advance of awards season. Per the agreement, CBB was to get $12,000 per month from August until the Academy Awards telecast in late February. The agreement provided a right to terminate with five days written notice. On November 1 2010, Lionsgate allegedly informed CBB of its intention to terminate. According to the complaint, the explanation given was "financial reasons." (At the time, the studio was battling investor Carl Icahn for control of the company.) PHOTOS: 2011 Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon However, CBB says that no written notice was given and that the reasons cited weren't permissible in the opt-out provision, which stated that the parties were allowed to cancel in the event of "any change in business form, management or organization or any other occurrences materially frustrates this intent." CBB now claims it is owed $42,000 for unpaid services. In addition, the firm claims $12,000 more damages as a promised fee for handing over an updated draft of an Academy members mailing list. Finally, CBB says it's due $7,500 as a promised bonus for Kidman's nomination. According to the agreement, CBB was to get $5,000 for an Oscar nomination (which Kidman got) and $2,500 for any Guild nomination (Kidman got a Screen Actors Guild nod as well). PHOTOS: Top 10 SAG Awards Red Carpet Looks We've reached out to Lionsgate for comment and will update with a response. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 2011 Oscars Red Carpet Nicole Kidman Oscars Rabbit Hole

Walking Dead's Kirkman Describes What's Ahead After Shocking Midseason Finale

Andrew Lincoln subsequently [Warning: This story consists of major spoilers in the Walking Dead's midseason finale. Read at the own risk.] The Walking Dead's Sophia was... a master! Following the children spent as well as from the second season's first half trying to find Carol's daughter, it works out she was right under their nose. Did Hershel (Scott Wilson) and the family be aware of object of the search is at their zombie-plagued barn? Or did Sophia (Madison Lintz) become a victim of her very own mistake? TVGuide.com switched to executive producer and comic creator Robert Kirkman to find the solutions. Discover how Shane's decision to eliminate the zombies within the barn will modify the group's future: Walking Dead's Sarah Wayne Callies: Lori's afraid Ron and Shane might kill one another The way needing to kill Sophia modify the group, particularly Ron (Andrew Lincoln subsequently)? Robert Kirkman: This year is greatly about Rick's emergence as leader or deciding that he isn't exceptional in internet marketing. He's torn for the reason that everybody is searching to him for solutions constantly and that he may be the p facto leader of the group, but it is nothing like he requested this. During the period of this year, we are seeing him making lots of choices and having into making choices that do not finish up following your rules ones. This case with Sophia is an extremely good illustration of that. Resulting in that girl turning out to be a spook and winding up for the reason that barn is greatly a choice he made, so it is going to put on on him. Getting into the final half of year, he's certainly likely to be coping with his ideas how they were given to that particular point, and it will likely be a difficult factor for him to cope with. Hershel and the family understood the children have been trying to find this young girl. Did they are fully aware Sophia is at the barn? Did she wander directly into take cover and fell prey towards the zombies? Kirkman: That's all likely to be revealed whenever we return in Feb. That's certainly a large question. Shane (Jon Bernthal) was pretty pissed-off and that i don't believe he will calm lower following the initial shock of seeing Sophia. Whenever we pick some misconception, things is going to be in a pretty high intensity level and that is the first question that's requested. Did they are fully aware she is at there? And when they did, why were they hiding that information from their store? Such groups happen to be greatly at odds over the truth that Hershel does not would like them to remain there, plus they seem like being delivered back on the highway is a dying sentence, so they have already got enough to battle about and case yet another problem being tossed in to the mix. The Walking Dead Boss: Shane's living on lent time -- but has not worn-out his welcome yet The catalyst for Shane completely losing it had been learning this news that Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) is pregnant. What's going to we have seen with this ongoing losing control? Kirkman: He still sees themself as accountable for the security of Lori and Carl (Chandler Riggs) and today this newborn, to ensure that will drive him just a little crazy. He can't permit the zombies to remain in that barn due to the threat they pose. Regardless of what anybody states, he needed to take proper care of the problem. We are likely to see much more of that entering the relaxation of year. It is also likely to be very disrespectful to Ron for him to become saying, "You were not being careful of the barn situation, and so i needed to step-up and do this.Inch It is going to place them at odds getting into these later episodes. He's greatly likely to be a catalyst of change and conflict that will move us in to the third season. Will Shane be ousted in the group for the seriousness of what he just did? Kirkman: That's all dependent on perspective. You will find figures like Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) who are likely to see him like a loose cannon while he is further complicating things for everyone. But simultaneously, Andrea (Laurie Holden), Daryl (Norman Reedus) and T-Dog (Irone Singleton) counseled me extremely swift enter into with Shane and take part in cleaning up the barn. Using their perspective, individuals figures might be seeing Shane as an individual who is showing leadership quality and it is making good choices for that enhancement from the group. We're able to begin to see more and more people come to Shane's aspect. Walking Dead's Robert Kirkman: Lori's surprising answers are just the beginning Will Shane and Ron confront one another concerning the Lori situation? Ron understood they rested together within the midseason finale, only told Shane that they was pregnant. Will which come up rapidly? Kirkman: You need to note that's a good example of Rick's character. Why would he ever state that to Shane? It's enough he knows and that he is accepting it. Telling Shane he knows could only complicate things. As they could get some satisfaction in telling uncle he does not have one-on him, he knows exactly what happened, they know which will just bring conflict. That's an indication of a great leader. That is what makes Ron, Ron, that he's prepared to make that sacrifice to be able to keep your peace. Since Ron is aware of Shane and Lori, the way that alter the dynamic between Ron and Lori? Kirkman: To some extent, our planet has enhanced their relationship, the industry little bizarre. We managed to get very obvious their marriage was virtually around the rocks before he got shot and ended up right into a coma. Getting into the final half of year, because the secrets are cleaned away between the pair of them as well as their relationship will be open, we are likely to discover their whereabouts grow closer and closer. Our planet will finish up as being a positive thing on their behalf relationship smart. Continuing to move forward in the barn situation, exactly what does the near future hold for that group? Can they make an effort to remain on the farm? Kirkman: Hershel had been asking these to leave once Carl was cured. I do not think after exactly what happened in the finish of the episode, he will not all of a sudden end up like, "Let alone, everyone can remain.Inch Whether they are around the farm or from the farm, the conflict of that's really likely to drive the storyline. The Walking Dead: Creator weighs in at in on Season 1's greatest mystery You've stated before that creating changes in the comics keeps it fresh for audiences who know what goes on. But it is possible to point where making such large changes may alienate the comic visitors? Kirkman: I really hope not because you will find more coming. In my experience, maintaining the surprise and also the shock factor from the comic series is a lot more important than adapting directly. Adapting it directly, to some extent, would finish up being boring. Nevertheless, you will find very huge moments within the comic series which make the storyline what it's and we'll be adapting individuals every so often. Even if we all do that, I am likely to be conscious to the fact that there is a area of the audience that's conscious of these occasions. Like Carl getting shot at the outset of this year, we are going to reach individuals moments in different ways to ensure that the people who understand the comics will not view it coming. It will likely be a give-and-take. Hopefully, individuals will just believe that it's all regulated for everyone the spontaneity and also the unexpectedness from the show. It's all regulated completed with an attempt towards entertaining people. The Walking Dead returns Sunday, February. 12 at 9/8c on AMC. Take a look at a unique consider the making from the barn scene:

Weekend Box Office: 'Breaking Dawn' Still Rules, But 'Muppets' Win Family Movie Melee

It's a new holiday pageant: a Thanksgiving feast where the Indians are werewolves and the white settlers don't even eat. During a weekend with three highly touted new family films, the family that a plurality of moviegoers chose to visit was the undead Cullen clan of 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1.' In its second weekend, the vampire romance easily held onto the top spot at the box office, while 'The Muppets' won the three-way battle for family film supremacy. According to studio estimates, 'Breaking Dawn' earned another $62.3 million over the five-day holiday, or $42.0 million from Friday to Sunday. That's a sharp decline of 70 percent from last week's debut, but it's still on a par with the performance of earlier installment 'New Moon.' The film is playing in more venues than any other (4,066 screens) and is doing a smashing $10,330 per screen over the three-day weekend. In 10 days, it's earned $221.3 million. Debuting in second place, 'The Muppets' made off with an estimated $29.5 million over the three-day weekend. Most pundits had expected a weekend haul above $30 million, given the multi-generational appeal of the fuzzy felt folks and the year-long parade of hype for the feature. Still, 'The Muppets' has earned a total of $42.0 million since Wednesday's debut, which is more in five days than every previous Muppet film except the first one earned throughout its entire theatrical run. (Of course, that's not adjusting for inflation; the $65.2 million take from 1979's 'The Muppet Movie' would amount to $210.1 million at today's ticket prices.) Besides positive reviews and strong word-of-mouth, 'The Muppets' also earned $8.576 per screen for the weekend, so the movie seems popular enough that it'll show some legs, even if the filmed-from-the-waist-up characters seldom do. Including the two family films already playing, there are five movies in wide release vying for that same market; given that, it's no wonder that 'Happy Feet Two' slid 37 percent this weekend to an estimated $13.4 million. The penguin sequel, which opened weakly last weekend, has the weakest reviews of any of the current family releases. Still, it managed to finish in third place this weekend and has earned $43.8 million to date. Opening at No. 4, 'Arthur Christmas' faced a few tough breaks. Besides competing with all the other family movies, it also had to open in 3,376 venues while fighting against four other wide-release movies for 3D screens. So while pundits expected it to open between $14 and $19 million, 'Arthur' settled for a three-day opening estimated at $12.7 million, for a total of $17.0 million over the five-day holiday. Sony issued a statement saying it expected the film to hold up well over the next few weeks because it's the only seasonal-themed family movie in the bunch, but a per-screen average of $3,762 (nearly identical to 'Happy Feet Two''s $3,711, after 10 days) doesn't bode well. Conversely, 'Hugo' opened much better than its modest expectations. While critics adored Martin Scorsese's first stab at kiddie fare, some observers thought that a movie that's largely an homage to silent-film pioneer Georges Méliès might play above kids' heads. Predictions for the movie, which opened on just 1,277 screens, were in the $8 to $10 million range for the weekend. Yet the film earned an estimated $11.4 million from Friday to Sunday, for a five-day total of $15.4 million and a fifth-place finish. Its per-screen average of $8,888 is even higher than that of 'The Muppets,' meaning 'Hugo' could ride out the holiday season if it expands to a wider release. On the indie front, three new movies did very well in limited release. 'My Week with Marilyn,' featuring Michelle Williams' much-buzzed-about performance as Marilyn Monroe, earned $1.8 million on 244 screens, with a respectable $7,266 per-screen average that suggests the movie will hold up well through awards season. Opening on just four screens each were silent-film tribute 'The Artist' and David Cronenberg's psychosexual period drama 'A Dangerous Method.' 'Artist' pulled in $210,414 (a whopping $52,604 per screen), while 'Method' did nearly as well with $181,852 ($45,463 per screen). Watch for these to become awards-season standouts at the box office as well. 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1' - Trailer No. 2 The full top 10: 1. 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1,' $42.0 million (4,066 screens), $221.3 million total 2. 'The Muppets,' $29.5 million (3,440), $42.0 million 3. 'Happy Feet Two,' $13.4 million (3,606), $43.8 million 4. 'Arthur Christmas,' $12.7 million (3,376), $17.0 million 5. 'Hugo,' $11.4 million (1,277) $15.4 million 6. 'Jack and Jill,' $10.3 million (3,029), $57.4 million 7. 'Immortals,' $8.8 million (2,677), $68.6 million 8. 'Puss in Boots,' $7.5 million (3,005), $135.4 million 9. 'Tower Heist,' $7.3 million (2.474), $65.4 million 10. 'The Descendants,' $7.2 million (433), $10.7 million [Photos: Disney ('The Muppets'), Paramount ('Hugo')] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook Follow Gary Susman on Twitter: @garysusman

John Malone's Liberty Media Mulls Increasing Its Stake in Sirius XM (Report)

By Georg Szalai NY - John Malone's Liberty Media is considering increasing its stake in satellite radio firm Sirius XM Radio in the spring, the NY Post reported. After saving the company from the brink of bankruptcy about two years ago, Liberty is having early-stage discussions about adding to its 40 percent stake in Sirius, the paper said citing a source close to the situation. Representatives for both companies didn't return messages seeking comment, it said. Last week, Liberty CEO Greg Maffei and chairman John Malone kept their options on Sirius open. Ahead of an investor day on Thursday, they announced a combination of tracking stocks Liberty Starz and Liberty Capital. Analysts said this could allow the company to spin off its stake in Sirius and possibly merge it into Sirius. Maffei also highlighted the strong performance and possible upside in Sirius, signaling that Liberty could alternatively increase its investment in Sirius. The Post highlighted that Liberty could increase its Sirius stake to 49.9 percent, but there are tax implications and other disadvantages. After March though, these issues go away. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics John Malone Liberty Media Sirius XM Radio

Meghan McCain Becomes MSNBC Contributor

NBC News’ romance with kids of effective political figures continues. True, the daughter of former GOP presidential candidate John McCain had been a frequent contributor on MSNBC. But news about her new gig follows the announcement a week ago that NBC had hired Chelsea Clinton. Former Leader George W. Rose bush’s daughter Jenna Rose bush is also a correspondent in the network. Bad for professional journalists searching for work on a period when you will find couple of openings. Here’s the announcement: NY November 21, 2011 Meghan McCain has became a member of MSNBC like a contributor, together with her first appearance today at noon ET on With Alex Wagner. She is a frequent MSNBC guest since 2009. “I couldn’t more be excited to become joining the MSNBC family, stated McCain. It’s a distinctive chance to talk about my perspective like a Republican on the network I respect and also have built rapport with in the last 2 yrs.” Because the daughter of U.S. Senator John McCain, Meghan McCain was powered in to the national spotlight while very young. Her unequalled contact with American politics gave her the chance to listen to voters debate probably the most complex issues first-hands. McCains time around the campaign trail together with her father inspired her acclaimed memoir, Dirty Sexy Politics. It stories her personal journey over the American political landscape. Campaigning together with her father also inspired McCain to write My Father, John McCain, an highlighted children’s book which brings her father’s heroic story to existence. Like a writer for that Daily Animal, she passionately talks about women’s issues, social issues, marriage equality and her firm belief that there's room for those avenues of life within the GOP. While attending college, McCain labored at Newsweek magazine and Saturday Evening Live. She's a graduate of Columbia College and presently resides in NY City.

APA Signs Veteran Comedy Writer Ed Yeager

Veteran comedy writer-producer Ed Yeager has signed with APA. He was at ICM. Yeager created, executive produced and ran the CBS comedy series Gary Unmarried. He also co-created the ABC Family comedy series Ruby & The Rockits and worked such sitcoms as the WB’s Reba, CBS’ Still Standing, ABC’s Dharma & Greg, Grace Under Fire and Roseanne and NBC’s Suddenly Susan. Yeager also wrote the Fox Atomic comedy feature The Comebacks.

The Somnambulists

An RJ Films presentation of the No Damaging Films production. (Worldwide sales: No Damaging Films, London.) Created by Richard Jobson, Alan Mckenna. Directed, compiled by Richard Jobson.With: Jack Monaghan, Michael Nardone, Jack O'Connell, Rhonda Lewis, Belinda Everett, Paul Thornley, Tom Padley, Jonathan Kerrigan, Alan Mckenna, David Fynn, Tobi Bakare, Frederick Creeth, Steven Robertson, Jessye Romeo, Scott Arthur. (British dialogue)The devastating mental damage felt by British soldiers who've offered in Iraq is presented via straight-to-camera monologues in "The Somnambulists," the sincere but shateringly serious latest feature from Scottish helmer Richard Jobson ("16 Many years of Alcohol"). Although credited as compiled by Jobson, the script is dependant on extensive interviews with real soldiers, and just the stoniest heart could neglect to understand the physical and mental discomfort recounted here. Regrettably, thesping is simply too frequently stagy and stilted, as stressed through the seriously stylized approach. Pic should sleepwalk through fests, but will probably wake on cable stations. Per press notes, the pic's look and title were inspired by Joanna Kane's recent exhibition of monochrome photographs of dying- and existence-masks impressed between 150 and two centuries ago, where the silvery faces stick out against an inky black background. Likewise, the 15 thesps here deliver their monologues (shot colored) from the inside a dim studio, using the framework taking mostly just their faces, sometimes in extreme closeup, or their physiques in the torso up. In the finish of every turn, location-shot monitoring shots (mostly in black-and-whitened, aside from a couple of electronically colored photographs situated somewhere within the scene) show places the ones the soldier under consideration just pointed out. Each shot finishes with someone, most probably a family member, searching grief-stricken as though recalling the dead. No loudspeakers is known as (credits list them only as "Guy 1," "Guy 2" and so forth), but using their words, it may be deduced they represent a spectrum of military personnel, varying from infantrymen to officials, gung-ho snipers to medics. Some discuss their feeling of alienation when coming back to civilian existence, like the first (Jack Monaghan) and also the last (Scott Arthur), while some concentrate on traumas experienced on Basra's battlefields. The dust and relentless warmth of Iraq repetition not surprisingly recurrent motifs, along with a feeling of anger and unfaithfulness fond of a myriad of targets, from Iraqis themselves to former Pm Blair and also the ordinary people home who'd rather your investment war's existence. In writing, the speeches may have a far more resounding ring of veracity, however the perfs listed here are so strident, over-practiced and portentously shipped regarding drain a lot of the impact in the tales being told. Helming thesps hasn't been Jobson's strong suit (apart from Kevin McKidd in "16 Many years of Alcohol"), so that as using the semi-professional cast of "The Cleansers," he particularly underserves the youthful stars here who most require a strong directorial hands to reign them in. Elsewhere, using visual effects to exhibit the harrowing things these males and ladies have experienced, by "projecting" moments onto their eyes, is just tacky. For those Jobson's discuss the visual inspirations for that film, the entire factor may have been more efficient whether it had simply occurred for radio.Camera (color/B&W, HD), James Stoneley editor, Steven Sander music, Tim Stevens, Andrew Johnson production designer, Jude Hanly costume designer, Francessca Oddi seem (DTS/SDDS/Dolby Digital), Martin Ormond, Myles Hayden seem designers, Stevens, Johnson visual effects supervisor, Solomon Rogers visual effects, Rewind Forex stunt coordinator, Marc Cass line producer, Richard Adams second unit camera, Adam Duckworth, Jobson casting, Lucy Jenkins, Sooki McShane. Examined at London Film Festival (New British Cinema), November. 12, 2011. Running time: 97 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

'So You Think You Can Dance' Producers Settle Lawsuit Claiming Idea Theft

Adam Rose/FOX Fox Broadcasting, 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions have settled a lawsuit that claimed that the concept for the hit reality show So You Think You Can Dance was stolen from a celebrity dance instructor and his partner. The agreement comes on the verge of a trial that was scheduled to begin next Monday.our editor recommendsJury to Decide Whether 'So You Think You Can Dance' Was Stolen From Dance InstructorFox Renews 'So You Think You Can Dance''So You Think You Can Dance' Champion Melanie Moore Did Not Expect to Win John Cassese, who calls himself the "Dance Doctor," filed the lawsuit six years ago, claiming thathe and his writing partners registered a concept with the WGA entitled "So You Think You Can Dance." The registration described a 60-minute elimination-style contest each week where dancers around the nation competed by being forced to master unfamiliar dance styles, paired with others, and wore elaborate costumes in front of live audiences. The plaintiff hired an agent, who shopped it around in 2003, including to CAA. Allegedly, agents then divulged the ideas to 19 and DCP in formal pitch meetings held at Fox. The defendants argued there was no evidence that CAA had accepted the treatment or that the plaintiffs weren't merely attempting to seek to hire CAA as their own agents. Cassese's breach of contract lawsuit was dismissed twice by a Superior Court judge but revived each time by an appeals court. Last month, a judge refused to dismiss the lawsuit for a third time, leading to a potential showdown before a jury on whether CAA brought the dance instructor's submitted idea to the producers, and whether they failed to pay for use of the idea per an "implied-in fact contract." Now, the parties says they have reached a settlement on "mutually acceptable terms." Details haven't been revealed. A notice of settlement has been filed in the case. Jim Spertus represented the plaintiffs. The defendants were represented byMichael Niborski at Pryor Cashman and Mark Holscher and Dianna Torres at Kirkland & Ellis. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner

VIDEO: Al Pacino's Razzie Campaign Begins With This Jack and Jill Scene

When you first wept through the Jack and Jill trailer, you probably figured that Al Pacino’s role as Al Pacino would just be a brief cameo. He falls for Adam Sandler in drag at a Lakers game and sends her a hot dog with his phone number squirted in mustard. Classic meat cute! Judging by a few new clips from the Razzie front runner though, Al Pacino co-stars in multiple scenes as Jill’s overeager love interest. With that revelation, let’s formally begin Pacino’s own Razzie campaign with this clip of him wooing Adam Sandler in drag by teaching her/him/it how to swing a baseball bat — directly in front of his Academy Award. You see where this is going. Pacino has been nominated for Golden Raspberries before — for his work in Revolution and a dual nomination in 2008 for 88 Minutes/Righteous Kill — but hopefully his work here will finally earn him that coveted Razzie win. Jack and Jill stinks up your local theater Nov. 11. (That’s tomorrow!) [via Yahoo!] Follow Julie Miller on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Dakota Fanning's Perfume Ad Banned

Dakota Fanning isn't one to sidestep controversy. In 2007, her movie 'Hounddog' featured a scene where her character was raped (Fanning was only 14 at the time); in 2010, she had a rather provocative kissing scene with co-star Kristen Stewart in 'The Runaways'; today, we have another mini-scandal -- although this one has nothing to do with a movie. According to The Telegraph, an advertisement Fanning did for Marc Jacbos perfume, Oh, Lola!, has been banned due to its sexual nature. In the ad, which you can see below, the actress is shown wearing a short skirt with a giant bottle of perfume in between her legs. The Advertising Standards Authority, the UK regulatory agency that decided to ban the ad, had this to say about their decision: "We understood the model [Fanning] was 17 years old but we considered she looked under the age of 16. We considered that the length of her dress, her leg and position of the perfume bottle drew attention to her sexuality. Because of that, along with her appearance, we considered the ad could be seen to sexualise a child." The Telegraph also said that Fanning was "humbled" when she was first asked to star in the Marc Jacob campaign. [via HuffPost and the Telegraph] [Photo: Getty Images for Marc Jacobs] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Cheyenne Jackson And Ken Jenkins To Co-Star In USAs Nathan Lane Comedy Pilot

EXCLUSIVE: Cheyenne Jackson (Glee, 30 Rock) and Scrubs alum Ken Jenkins are likely to co-star opposite Nathan Lane in USA’s untitled Douglas McGrath comedy pilot. The only real-camera comedy, which Oscar nominee McGrath (Bullets Over Broadway) written and may direct, concentrates on Jasper (Lane), an unlucky actor whose Broadway aspirations ought to be put on hold when his fathers health takes a turn for worse, forcing him to return to his Texas hometown. Jackson may have Tim, a handsome physician who befriends Jasper within the Texas hometown. McGrath and Lane are executive creating for Universal Cable Prods. “It will be a tremendous casting session,” USA’s SVP original scripted programming Bill McGoldrick mentioned. “It is rare your decision 2 people inside the first casting session, as well as the runner-ups were very good too.” This is among 2 comedy aircraft aircraft pilots USA recently greenlit incorporated in the foray into half-several hours. The deals for your other, Paging Dr. Freed, continue being completed.

Amanda Seyfried Will Be Linda Lovelace

Peter Sarsgaard may co-starDeep Throat star Linda Lovelace's story is such an enticing one for filmmakers. So enticing, in fact, that not one but two films are currently bubbling away in development about her life. But both have had problems locking down a cast, particularly for the prickly central role. Now, though, Howl directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's effort, Lovelace, has scored Amanda Seyfried to star.Lovelace will chronicle the actress' younger years, from her start as a fresh-faced Florida schoolgirl named Linda Boreman to her meeting with future husband Chuck Traynor and his decision to cast her in the controversial 1972 porn pic. Though the role made her an international sex star, she was also horribly victimized by Traynor and others, ending up quitting the business, divorcing him and putting her life on a more stable track until her tragic death in 2002.Epstein and Friedman had lined up Kate Hudson and James Franco to play Lovelace and Traynor, but with Hudson pregnant, the schedule shifted, which meant Franco also departed. Peter Sarsgaard is in talks to take on the role instead.The directing pair wants to start shooting in January, and they'll face competition from Matthew Wilder's film Inferno, which has Malin Akerman playing Linda (after Lindsay Lohan dropped out) and Matt Dillon as Traynor. 2012 could see the battle of the Lovelace biopics...