Lucy Liu To Experience Watson In CBS Modern A Virtual Detective Pilot Elementary

The title is Watson, Joan Watson. Lucy Liu is placed to experience A Virtual Detective’ partner in CBS’ drama pilot Elementary, whose tweaks to Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic include switching Watson’s gender to female. The project, compiled by Robert Doherty, is occur current day and stars Jonny Lee Burns as eccentric Brit A Virtual Detective, an old consultant to Scotland Yard whose addiction problems brought him to some rehab center in NY City. Just from rehab, Holmes now lives in Brooklyn with “sober companion” Joan Watson (Liu), an old surgeon who lost her license following a patient died, while talking to for that NYPD. Michael Cuesta is pointing the pilot, created by CBS TV Galleries and Timberman/Beverly. Ally McBeal alumna Liu, who had 2 aircraft pilots competing on her, is recurring around the current season from the TNT cop drama Southland and can next be observed in the featureMan Using The Iron Fists.

Suit vs. SAG merger seeks trial, damages

With ballots beginning to hit members' mailboxes, opponents of the SAG-AFTRA merger have amended their lawsuit against SAG to ask for a jury trial and monetary damages. Move comes a week after the four-count civil complaint was filed in Los Angeles. Plaintiffs allege the Screen Actors Guild and its leaders are attempting to merge with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists "without conducting the necessary due diligence." SAG has labeled the suit "a clear attempt at circumventing the will of the membership" and "a public relations stunt" and has moved to dismiss it.Plaintiffs' attorney David Casselman of Wasserman, Comden, Casselman & Esensten told Variety that SAG is spending more than $2.5 million on the merger. Ballots are being mailed to 120,000 SAG members and 70,000 AFTRA members, touting the combo as giving performers more bargaining clout. To be approved, the merger must receive at least 60% of the votes from each union.The suit is aimed at preventing SAG from counting the votes on March 30. The amended complaint alleges that the plaintiffs had requested a delay in spending until SAG fulfilled its own fiduciary rules."The individual defendants intentionally and knowingly refused to abide by the SAG constitutional requirements, board resolutions and their fiduciary obligations to the members," the complaint said. "They should now be obligated to reimburse SAG for all funds expended, whether by staff or for otherwise, for time and expense associated with this unnecessary and improper merger effort."The lawsuit, filed by more than 60 SAG members including Martin Sheen and Ed Harris, also contends that SAG is violating its own rules by not conducting a comprehensive analysis of combining the SAG and AFTRA pension and health plans -- which are operated separately from the unions and overseen by union-industry boards. The unions' summary of the feasibility study, containing opinions of seven attorneys with experience in the field, noted that several hundred multi-employer pensions have merged over the past 25 years and that there is no legal obstacle to merging the SAG and AFTRA pension and health plans.Monday's filings by the opponents included a declaration by Alex H. Brucker, an attorney with three decades of experience in employee pension and health plans, that blasted SAG for asserting that merging the unions and the plans would "only benefit" participants and that "merger is the best way to protect our benefits.""These are not supportable statements of fact," Brucker said.Merger backers contend that combining SAG and AFTRA will make it easier to combine the plans as a first step toward resolving the problem that performers face in making contributions to the separate plans and then not meeting the earnings qualifications. Brucker said in his declaration that the question of merging SAG and AFTRA is "indistinguishable" from the question of merging the plans and can't be considered separately."It is my opinion, based on my careful consideration of this issue, that a plan merger raises complex issues, could create serious problems and conflicts and could result in loss of benefits for both SAG and AFTRA members," Brucker said. "The precise impact on plan benefits (or required member and co-sponsor contributions) cannot be properly assessed without an ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) Impact Report."SAG members turned down merger proposals in 1999 and 2003 while AFTRA members supported both combos.Casselman also filed a declaration by Patrick Byrnes, president of Actuarial Consultants, who asserted that the existing SAG pension plan is "relatively richer and more beneficial" to SAG members, than the existing AFTRA plan. "Generally speaking, based on my experience, it is not possible to merge a plan with higher benefits and a plan with lower benefits and (without additional funding) produce a joint plan providing the equivalent of the higher benefit formula for all participants," Byrnes said. He also said that without a study to determine how the pension plans would be merged, there's no way to predict the precise outcome. "But, in my experience, it is likely that the combination of the existing SAG and AFTRA plans will either require additional funding or SAG benefits would have to be reduced," Byrnes added. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Warner Bros. pulls 'Bullet'

Warner Bros. has attracted Walter Hill's "Bullet for the Mind" in the formerly introduced release date of April 13."Bullet" stars Sylvester Stallone and Sang Kang just like a hitman together with a cop who form an alliance to have the ability to bring lower an average enemy. Project continues to be produced by Dark Castle and IM Global."Bullet" was slated to start against Lionsgate's horror vehicle "Cabin inside the Forest," FilmDistrict's sci-fier "Lockout" and Relativity's unititled Farrelly brothers and sisters comedy. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Prescreen Partners With Facebook For VOD

Movie sites and entrepreneurs still tout their partners with Facebook, enabling their ready to be applied and distributed to the huge social networking site. Streaming video if needed site Prescreen revealed expects to create its extended form content available via Facebook’s Open Graph Platform. For just about any 60-day window clients can observe trailers from Prescreen’s curated selection of films and rent preferred options on-demand. Prescreen game game titles include hundreds of films from film festivals worldwide. The web site may also be spotlighting the arrangement with Prescreen due to “real-time statistics and detailed demographic information provided by content clients,” enabling entrepreneurs to pay attention to audiences through online marketing together with other channels. Clients could have a option to show business social designs and Prescreen states it'll only share trailer viewing history, not rental or sales records.

WB developing pic of manga 'Bleach'

SegalMazeau'Bleach'Warner Bros. has acquired live-action feature privileges to Tite Kubo's manga and anime property "Bleach," which is modified by "Wrath from the Leaders" scribe Serta Mazeau.Peter Segal ("Get Wise") will produce by having an eye toward possibly pointing.Using more than 75 million print copies in circulation in Japan alone, "Bleach" follows the adventures of Ichigo, a teen who are able to see ghosts. When his household is assaulted with a Hollow -- a malevolent lost soul -- Ichigo unintentionally soaks up the energy to search Hollows. Then he commits his existence to safeguarding the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.Segal's Callahan Filmworks partner Michael Ewing will even produce together with Masi Oka and Viz Prods., a subsidiary of Viz Media, the British-language writer of "Bleach." Jason Hoffs will produce for Viz, while Branon Coluccio will professional produce. WB professional Jon Berg will oversee the work for the studio.Oka, who co-starred in Segal's "Get Wise," introduced the project to Callahan Filmworks."I have been an enormous fan of 'Bleach' and also have great respect because of its creator Kubo and also the truly original and amazing world he's produced within this manga," stated Segal, whose "Get Wise" made a lot more than $230 million worldwide for Warners in 2008.CAA reps Segal, Ewing and Callahan Filmworks, in addition to Mazeau, who's also repped by Circle of Confusion and lawyers Shep Rosenman and Lee Rosenbaum of Katz, Golden & Rosenman. Oka is repped by UTA and Circle of Confusion. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com

Bailee Madison drawn to 'Watercolor'

MadisonBailee Madison ("Don't Be Afraid of the Dark") will star in the indie romance-drama "Watercolor Postcards" along with John C. McGinley ("Scrubs"). Rhett Giles is producing "Watercolor," with Rajeev Dassani directing from Conrad Goode's script. Production is slated to start this month in Los Angeles. Story is centered on a smalltown girl, wise beyond her years, who returns home and inherits more problems than she brought back. Dassani won a Student Academy Award in 2008 for the short film "A Day's Work." Madison's credits include "Brothers" and "Just Go With It." She will be seen next in "Us & Them." Madison is repped by Coast to Coast Talent Group. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Watercooler: Hudson, We have No Problem With Houston's Grammys Tribute

Jennifer Hudson Something must be accomplished. We're just glad it absolutely was produced by Jennifer Hudson.Last evening, the Grammy Honours experienced the daunting task of memorializing Whitney Houston slightly under 24 several hours after her sudden, tragic dying. Could it be recommendations? A montage? A musical tribute? Early word from producer Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammys party (where Houston will be a staple and sometimes, a celebrated artist) was that Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan had made the decision to do. You have to began to hear the salute would occur through the show's In Memoriam section, which more artists were being approached to register. By show time, there's a coming feeling that individuals were looking for a bombastic, overwrought display of vocal histrionics by every female artist who had ever met Houston. Or have been to Houston.That which you eventually got will be a stunning, effective solo by Hudson, who unleashed a mental but controlled rendition of "I'll Always Adore YouInch that knocked our socks off and broke our hearts. Plus it wasn't just us. Everybody tweeted things like "perfectly simple and easy , simply perfect," and"mind coming."Fittingly, since the music world and Houston's fans appreciated her once-stellar voice and youthful rise to acclaim, the uneven (at time intolerable) kudocast elevated a glass to toast another youthful giant - British chanteuse Adele, who acquired six Grammys and customary praise online following her near-perfect rendition of "Moving inside the Deep." Still, despite the appreciation proven for the night's finest champion, it's Hudson's breathtaking tribute with a voice silenced way too early that individuals will almost always love.Perhaps you have watch the Grammys? The thing that was your chosen moment?Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Surprise! Real Regular folks of Miami Will Return for Season 2 After Transformation

The Particular Regular folks of Miami Bravo has restored the particular Regular folks of Miami for just about any second season, The Hollywood Reporter reviews. Before Miami returns, Bravo intentions of re-casting the show and becoming in new production company, Purveyors of Pop, which produces Bethenny Ever After. An origin near the series told the trade that Bravo was dissatisfied while using original production company, McFilmworks, and needed over throughout the initial season's publish-production. Watch Real Regular folks videos News in the renewal has come about as an unpredicted. Miami's seven-episode first season didn't satisfy the wealth of their sister shows, delivering just 723,000 audiences towards the April 5 finale. The series overall averaged 1.09 million audiences per episode in contrast for the 3.5 million the Atlanta edition averaged within the third season. Bravo is predicted to formally announce the renewal, returning cast people and new additions soon. You think Bravo made the very best decision? Will you see the second season of Miami?

Oscilloscope takes 'Brothers'

Oscilloscope Labs has acquired U . s . States rights to "The Brooklyn Brothers and sisters Beat the most effective,In . skedding the film for just about any theatrical release which will be coupled with live perfs within the band described inside the film. Feature from author-helmer Ryan O'Nan bowed at Toronto a year ago and recenty carried out the Santa Barbara Intl. Film Fest. Story in the film, which screens now incorporated within the European Film Market, concentrates on a guy (O'Nan) who heads on the spur-of-the-moment journey having a completely new bandmate referred to by Michael Weston. Arielle Kebbel, Melissa Leo, Andrew McCarthy and Jason Ritter are also made of the film. O'Nan and Weston may have live since the kiddie-instrument band, the Brooklyn Brothers and sisters, in concerts that will accompany the film's multi-city theatrical release specific for later this year. Digital and DVD relieve the pic follows, as will a soundtrack from Rhino. The Oscilloscope release pairs the outfit's movie distribution activities with founder Adam Yauch's music-biz experience one of the people in the Beastie Boys. Jason Michael Berman and Kwesi Collisson produce "The Brooklyn Brothers and sisters Beat the bestInch with professional producers Ruth Mutch, Sergio Aguero, Thomas B. Forefront, Sandra R. Berman and Mark G. Mathis. Distribution deal was talked about by Oscillope's David Fenkel with ICM and lawyers Ray Weinberg and Robert Fyvolent. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

EOne grabs U.S. privileges for 'Starbuck'

TORONTO -- Entertainment You have nabbed U.S. distribution privileges to Ken Scott's Montreal-set family comedy "Starbuck," person receiving aud honours in the recent Santa Barbara and Palm Springs fests, the Canada-based company introduced Tuesday. "I have had the privilege of dealing with Andre Rouleau through the years and that we could not become more delighted to create this film towards the U.S." stated eOne Films The United States prexy David Reckziegel inside a statement. "This really is a classic modern feel-good movie that'll be appreciated by audiences worldwide." "Starbuck" has made a lot more than $3.5 million in Canada, which makes it the greatest grossing domestic title of 2011. In France They-language pic, which stars Patrick Huard like a guy who finds out he's the biological father of 533 children, opened up in Quebec last This summer and would be a Gala in the Toronto film festival last September. The eOne worldwide salesforce lately introduced sales to Benelux (Imagine), France (Diaphana), The country (Vertigo/Wildbunch), Europe, German & Austria (Ascot Elite), Japan (Klockworks, Comstock), Israel (Nachshon) and Air carriers (Cinesky). EOne has got the pic around australia and Canada. A U.S. release date is going to be introduced within the coming days. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Global 'Boss' comes to TLC, OWN

TLC and OWN are bringing global editions of "Undercover Boss" to their respective nets. The reality skein that has been a hit for CBS will be moving to the cable side as a spinoff series titled "Undercover Boss: Abroad," using footage from the U.K. and Australia. Canadian installments of the show will also be included at a later date in the spring. Skein is set to premiere on TLC Feb. 13 as the net will air back-to-back episodes for 14 weeks at 9 p.m. Mondays. Show will launch on OWN March 13. Among the companies to be featured are Domino's Pizza, Best Western Hotels and Isuzu. Premise of the show is that top-ranking execs from selected companies blend in with the working class and understand what it takes to do their job. The original Eye version of "Undercover Boss" currently airs on OWN as an occasional special or as a marathon. At TLC, "Boss" began as a regularly scheduled series last fall and both Discovery-owned cablers will air it again this fall. Show is produced by Studio Lambert and exec produced by Stephen Lambert and Eli Holzman. TLC has also announced they are going forward with "Southie Pride," from "Jersey Shore" producer SallyAnn Salsano. Series will look at the provincial characters who live in the South Boston neighbhorhood that was portrayed in the Ben Affleck film "Gone Baby Gone." Casting is currently underway. Cabler has ordered eight episodes. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Ridley Scott In Talks For Cormac McCarthy's 'Counselor'

The storyline of Cormac McCarthy's "The Counselor" is rapidly becoming probably the most intriguing in Hollywood and something that could cause a really fantastic film. Deadline reported last evening (The month of january 31) that Ridley Scott is within foretells direct "The Counselor," in line with the first feature film script by McCarthy. Scott will make it his next picture after "Prometheus." For individuals individuals just listening to this, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist shocked everybody—his agents first and foremost—when he completed a spec script in December. The storyline received evaluations both to McCarthy's novel "No Country for Old Males" and also the television series "Breaking Bad." The storyline follows a lawyer within the American Southwest, who thinks he is able to dip his foot in to the drug trade without getting hidden too deep. He'd be wrong. "The Counselor" doesn't mark the very first occasion that McCarthy's and Scott's title happen to be pointed out together. Scott had lengthy been mounted on a possible adaptation of "Bloodstream Meridian," it many consider McCarthy's masterpiece and not-adaptable. The project never joined together and finally passed to Todd Area, and then James Franco expressed curiosity about dealing with the novel, even filming test footage. The idea of "The Counselor" does not have numerous present day evaluations. Lengthy the days are gone of literary leaders, like McCarthy's idol William Faulkner, making the transition to film. McCarthy did something truly unpredicted, in the easiest way possible, and becoming a large title director connected to the project rapidly only raises the thrill. McCarthy has experienced a bit of a motion picture renaissance recently. Billy Bob Thornton directed the very first adaptation of the McCarthy novel, "All of the Pretty Horses," in 2000 to some mixed response. The Coen Siblings struck Oscar gold once they turn "No Country for Old Males" right into a movie. 2 yrs later, it that won McCarthy the Pulitzer, "The Street,Inch found its way on the watch's screen. This past year, Tommy Lee Johnson, a properly-known McCarthy fan, introduced his play "The Sunset Limited" to Cinemax. How can you experience Ridley Scott pointing "The Counselor"? Let's read your comments within the comments below as well as on Twitter!