Rosemarie DeWitt Joins Matt Damon And John Krasinski In Guaranteed Land

EXCLUSIVE: Rosemarie DeWitt may have the feminine lead in Guaranteed Land, the primary focus Features/Participant Media film that Gus Van Sant will direct with Matt Damon and John Krasinski starring. Damon and Krasinski written the script. The film, that have an initial draft from Dork Eggers when its title was Gold Mist, can be a Capraesque tale through which Damon and Krasinski play rival corporate professionals. Damon plays a sales executive who comes to a small town only to have his whole existence referred to as into question. Chris Moore is creating. DeWitt starred with Emily Blunt within your Sister’s Sister, that will get released in June, and Neighborhood Watch, that is released within this summer time. She’s repped by ICM and Troy Nankin.

Gravitas And Variance Team To Acquire 7-8 Films For Theatrical/VOD: SXSW

Gravitas Ventures and Variance Films will jointly release seven to eight specialty titles per year theatrically in the U.S. and Canada as well as on VOD via cable, satellite, telco and online platforms. The two companies acquisition teams will be at the SXSW Film Festival seeking content for their theatrical/VOD initiative, though both companies will continue to acquire films independently at the festival. Gravitas Ventures and Variance Films have joined forces to acquire and co-release 7-8 independent films a year in theaters across the US and Canada and on VOD with over 100 cable, satellite, telco and online video on demand operators. This new distribution offering will allow filmmakers a comprehensive turn-key distribution solution in two areas of the independent film world, theatrical and digital, that have shown year-over-year growth. Beginning at this years SXSW Film Festival, Gravitas and Variance will utilize their acquisitions teams to seek out the best independent, documentary, and foreign films that will benefit from a day and date theatrical/VOD release. While both companies will continue to acquire films separately for their individual slates, the companies expect to be making joint offers on select SXSW titles. Utilizing a P&A fund created by Gravitas, the films and filmmakers chosen for this release strategy will benefit from working with specialists while retaining their key long-term rights, instead of surrendering them for 15-20 years to a traditional distributor. Variance will execute a theatrical release using the aggressive combination of grassroots, outreach, and traditional marketing its become known for, while Gravitas will window and merchandize the film across VOD operators to maximize the financial success in the digital realm The non-exclusive initiative between the two companies is a natural extension of a relationship built over the last two years covering over a dozen films. Previous titles where Variance has handled theatrical and Gravitas has handled VOD include SXSW favorite American: The Bill Hicks Story as well as renowned titles Amigo, Ip Man, Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster, Until the Light Takes Us, Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen, The Lottery, White on Rice, Passport to Love, and De Mai Tinh (Fool For Love). In recent years, consumers have resoundingly shown their willingness to watch more independent films both in theaters and in an on-demand setting. We are thrilled to acquire and co-release with Variance Films in particular because both of our companies have a proven track record of helping to set films apart from the crowd. says Nolan Gallagher, Founder and CEO of Gravitas Ventures. This partnership breaks down yet another barrier for filmmakers, creating an exciting and financially viable new alternative for those who might otherwise be forced to either accept a less-than-adequate arrangement or be forced back into the world of fundraising to search for P&A, said Dylan Marchetti, Founder of Variance Films. Day and date VOD/theatrical releasing isnt a panacea for the independent film industry, and its only going to work for the right films. But for those films, it opens the door to a national audience and theres nobody wed rather kick that door down with than Gravitas Ventures, one of the most forward-thinking companies in the industry. For those attending SXSW, Nolan Gallagher and Dylan Marchetti will be part of a case study on the film American: The Bill Hicks Story called How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love VOD. The panel will take place on Monday March 12 from2:00 – 3:00 PM at the Austin Convention Center, 4th Floor, Room 15. About Gravitas Ventures Gravitas Ventures connects independent filmmakers, producers and distribution companies to leading cable, satellite, telco and online distribution partners. Working with more than 500 content partners, Gravitas Ventures aggregates and distributes worldwide thousands of hours of feature films, documentaries, animation, alternative sports, comedy, and music concert programming. About Variance Films Variance Films is a NY City based theatrical distribution company whose sole mission is to bring the best in independent cinema to theaters, while allowing filmmakers to retain all rights to their work. Founded in 2008 by Dylan Marchetti, Variance distributes films using innovative release strategies that focus on collaborative, filmmaker-centric grassroots marketing and outreach to drive audiences to theaters. Recent Variance Films theatrical releases include John Sayles AMIGO, Brazils official submission for the 2011 Academy Awards, Jos Padilhas ELITE SQUAD: THE ENEMY WITHIN, AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY, and martial arts sensation IP MAN 2: LEGEND OF THE GRANDMASTER. Current and upcoming releases include the highest-grossing film of all time in China, Jiang Wens hilariously dark action-comedy LET THE BULLETS FLY, and Anne Rentons dysfunctional family comedy THE PERFECT FAMILY, starring Kathleen Turner (May 4th). For more information, visit www.variancefilms.com.

Rob Kupsky to go away The very best spinner's

LONDON -- Turner Broadcasting System stalwart Rob Kupsky, the prexy for Europe, Middle East and Africa, is quitting after 3 decades using the organization. Kupsky, who grew to become part of Turner three decades ago, will exit over the following day or two. The professional re-situated to Europe from Turner's Atlanta headquarters in 1997 to make a regional business development office. He increased being leader in 2007. Kupsky's decision to prevent is understood to pre-date last month's announcement that RTL Group Boss Gerhard Zeiler happen to be hired as leader of the greatest spinner's Worldwide. The very best spinner's chairman and Boss Phil Kent mentioned: "There's no funnel, acquisition or growth of Turner's business in EMEA that Rob isn't directly connected with. "He's been consistent in the industry acumen, discussions and calm attitude, which he leaves Turner with this particular gratitude and respect." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

The Initial Empire Podcast Will Be Here!

Reviews, news and Paddy Considine galoreNo, you aren't seeing things.Extended following a world and also the wife experienced the podcast game, here you decide to go:the very first Empire Podcast.We're this really is this is not on iTunes at this time around, causeing this to be a great choice to listen to the initial episode, featuringEmpire authors Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Phil p Semlyen andAli Plumb reading through using the major movie speaking points in the filmic week.In addition - there exists a unique interview while using great Paddy Considine, author/director of Tyrannosaur, while he talks us with the love for your Rocky movies.Exactly what are you waiting for?Click on the connect with hear our first show - and we want to listen to suggestions and ideas which we could do to be able to improve inside the future. Reply to this ad at podcast@empireonline.com.