Hollywood Docket: 'Superman' Producer Jon Peters Ordered To Pay $3.3 Mil in Sexual Harassment Trial

Vince Bucci/Getty Images Former hairdresser turned movie studio executive turned producer Jon Peters (Superman) has lost a sexual harassment claim brought by a former assistant and has been ordered by a jury to pay $822,000 in lost wages plus $2.5 million in punitive damages to his accuser. Shelly Morita alleged in her five-year-old lawsuit that during the making of Superman Returns, Peters had got into her bed uninvited and fondled her. Jurors heard testimony how Peters withheld a $25,000 Christmas bonus until she signed a confidentiality agreement and how the producer of such films as Batman, Rain Man, and Wild Wild West exerted his influence in Hollywood to keep her from working after she quit. Peters reportedly will seek an appeal. In other entertainment legal news: Google is hoping to use a recent judge's decision concerning the liability ofMP3tunes to its advantage. In its mega-battle with Viacom over alleged copyright infringement on YouTube, Google has directed the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal's attention to the recent MP3tunes decision, in which the music locker service was found to be mostly protected by the DMCA's safe harbor provisions. Jay-Z and Kanye West are facing legal action for allegedly not clearing a sample on their new album, Watch the Throne. The potential lawsuit comes from R&B singer Syl Johnson, who according to a blog post, is a "veteran of copyright infringement cases...[who] has done very well for himself clearing samples from his fertile catalog." A record executive who sued singer Johnny Gill for defaming her on Twitter with claims of an unauthorized leak has settled. According to a joint statement, the record label will still be releasing Gill's new album. The U.S. Justice Department has signed off on a plan by the Producers Guild of America to certify producers. The plan is to distinguish those who provide a full range of services with the initials "p.g.a." compared to financiers, lawyers, and others who just get generic on-screen producer credits. The plan will limit the market for working producers, which is why it was necessary for the DOJ to provide an opinion that this wasn't an antitrust violation. The estate of famed jazz trumpeter Miles Davis is suinga Manhattan jazz club called Miles' Cafe for infringing his allegedly trademarked first name. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner

Watch The Hangover 2 The Movie

Mark and Donnie Wahlberg Opening Restaurant Known as Wahlburgers

Mark and Donnie Wahlberg are opening a brand new hamburger restaurant named Wahlburgers, the Boston Herald reviews.our editor recommends'Entourage' Producer Mark Wahlberg Purports to Finance Feature Film Version of SeriesDavid O. Russell, Vince Vaughn Give Up of Universal's '2 Guns' As Mark Wahlberg Joins The title, Wahlburgers, was the toughest obstacle for that duo's older brother Paul, who'll function as the restaurant's chef, to conquer because it absolutely was formerly trademarked. COVER STORY: 'Entourage' Secrets In the Boys of Summer time "It simply works," Erectile dysfunction St. Croix, Wahlberg's business partner, told the Herald. "It's a great-sounding brand therefore we could released the merchandise with, an excellent title people could connect with.Inch VIDEO: 'Entourage' Roundtable The Wahlbergs guaranteed "full spectrum" utilisation of the title, St. Croix stated, but he wouldn't disclose financial the deal or other particulars. The siblings did possess some backup copies in your mind just just in case they couldn't secure the Wahlburgers title, though St. Croix wouldn't reveal them. STORY: Mark Wahlberg, Attacking Young Boys in Foretells Co-Star in Movie for Vital Some,300-sq. foot. Wahlburgers is placed to spread out in the Hingham Shipyard in Boston, close to the siblings' Italian restaurant Alma Nove. Wahlburgers will chair about 80 inside and 40 with an outside patio. The siblings will also be likely to open a pizza restaurant next spring. Related Subjects Donnie Wahlberg Mark Wahlberg

"Mad Men" Inspires Look Back for New TV Hits

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Basically, it's 'Mad Men', with boobs," quipped Joel McHale.The actor and comedian was joking recently about the upcoming drama series "The Playboy Club". But McHale could just as easily have been referring to much of the new fall season on U.S. television, as writers revisit the Swinging Sixties (and even the Seventies) in search of 21st century hits.Call it nostalgia, a chance to showcase sex, or the spell cast by multiple Emmy-winning drama "Mad Men", but period shows and reboots of classic series are making a comeback on TV."Pan-Am" on ABC is set in the early 1960s at a time when jet travel was glamorous rather than groan-inducing; "The Playboy Club" on NBC features 1960s Bunnies in Chicago; "Charlie's Angels" storm back to ABC from the 1970s in a modern remake; and if drab post-war London is your cup of tea, you will find it in 1950s thriller "The Hour" on BBC America.Writer and producers deny they are in the copycat business, despite widespread admiration in Hollywood for the stylish but slow burning "Mad Men" on AMC.But the critical success of the 1960s advertising drama -- despite its tiny audience of less than four million viewers -- has inspired others to mine a period ripe with social change."There was an enormous amount of American exceptionalism and hope and desire, and dreams that we were going to go to the moon. And yet the kettle was absolutely coming to a boil," said Thomas Schlamme, one of the creators of "Pan-Am".Christina Ricci, who plays one of the young flight attendants on the show, agreed. "There's that sense of excitement and freedom that goes with this sense of travel and everything being new."Ironically, what was seen entertainment wise on American television in the 1960s rarely captured the social, sexual, women's and civil rights revolutions of the era, said Robert Thompson, pop culture professor at Syracuse University."1960s television was all about talking horses, monsters in the suburbs, flying nuns, witches and genies. It is as though the exciting '60s happened, but the entertainment television made at the time totally ignored all those things."What 'Pan-Am' and 'The Playboy Club' can do is show an era in a TV series in a way that the actual era could never have done because of tighter standards and content rules at that time," Thompson said.Sexy or Sexist?But some of the behavior and attitudes considered standard in the early 1960s are seen differently through modern eyes."The Playboy Club" (and to a lesser extent "Pan-Am") are already under attack for portraying women as sex objects.Some critics have suggested that both shows are going after big audiences simply by showing pretty young women in Playboy Bunny and stewardess costumes that are regarded as sexy.The shows' backers reject the accusations. "Playboy Club" executive producer Chad Hodge described his show as "all about empowering, and who these women (Bunnies) can be, and how they can use their position to get it."Schlamme of "Pan-Am" said the various ways women were treated by men in the early 1960s provided a great source of drama with multiple storylines.Different problems faced the updated "Charlie's Angels" and a 2011 remake of the British police drama "Prime Suspect" that originally starred Helen Mirren in the early 1990s.NBC's "Prime Suspect" is playing down the overt sexism among police toward women officers-in-charge that marked the original series.Creator Alexandra Cunningham said the new version with Maria Bello would be more humorous and would "try to make it more realistic, because sexism isn't gone. It's kind of more subtle and insidious in a modern world."The "Charlie's Angels" remake will bring the glamorous trio of female crime fighters closer to solid ground than their 1970s counterparts by focusing on character, producers said.TV executives say comparisons to "Mad Men" begin and end with the period setting of many of the new offerings. But as Americans struggle to emerge from recession, nostalgia is clearly back in fashion."The early 60s were a very hopeful time, with all kinds of things beginning, and that's what ('The Playboy Club') is about," said executive producer Ian Biederman. "And that's why people are attracted to it right now -- to take a little break from the way things are today"(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)COPYRIGHT: (c) Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world. By Jill Serjeant August 23, 2011 "Pan Am" PHOTO CREDIT Reuters/Fred Prouser LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Basically, it's 'Mad Men', with boobs," quipped Joel McHale.The actor and comedian was joking recently about the upcoming drama series "The Playboy Club". But McHale could just as easily have been referring to much of the new fall season on U.S. television, as writers revisit the Swinging Sixties (and even the Seventies) in search of 21st century hits.Call it nostalgia, a chance to showcase sex, or the spell cast by multiple Emmy-winning drama "Mad Men", but period shows and reboots of classic series are making a comeback on TV."Pan-Am" on ABC is set in the early 1960s at a time when jet travel was glamorous rather than groan-inducing; "The Playboy Club" on NBC features 1960s Bunnies in Chicago; "Charlie's Angels" storm back to ABC from the 1970s in a modern remake; and if drab post-war London is your cup of tea, you will find it in 1950s thriller "The Hour" on BBC America.Writer and producers deny they are in the copycat business, despite widespread admiration in Hollywood for the stylish but slow burning "Mad Men" on AMC.But the critical success of the 1960s advertising drama -- despite its tiny audience of less than four million viewers -- has inspired others to mine a period ripe with social change."There was an enormous amount of American exceptionalism and hope and desire, and dreams that we were going to go to the moon. And yet the kettle was absolutely coming to a boil," said Thomas Schlamme, one of the creators of "Pan-Am".Christina Ricci, who plays one of the young flight attendants on the show, agreed. "There's that sense of excitement and freedom that goes with this sense of travel and everything being new."Ironically, what was seen entertainment wise on American television in the 1960s rarely captured the social, sexual, women's and civil rights revolutions of the era, said Robert Thompson, pop culture professor at Syracuse University."1960s television was all about talking horses, monsters in the suburbs, flying nuns, witches and genies. It is as though the exciting '60s happened, but the entertainment television made at the time totally ignored all those things."What 'Pan-Am' and 'The Playboy Club' can do is show an era in a TV series in a way that the actual era could never have done because of tighter standards and content rules at that time," Thompson said.Sexy or Sexist?But some of the behavior and attitudes considered standard in the early 1960s are seen differently through modern eyes."The Playboy Club" (and to a lesser extent "Pan-Am") are already under attack for portraying women as sex objects.Some critics have suggested that both shows are going after big audiences simply by showing pretty young women in Playboy Bunny and stewardess costumes that are regarded as sexy.The shows' backers reject the accusations. "Playboy Club" executive producer Chad Hodge described his show as "all about empowering, and who these women (Bunnies) can be, and how they can use their position to get it."Schlamme of "Pan-Am" said the various ways women were treated by men in the early 1960s provided a great source of drama with multiple storylines.Different problems faced the updated "Charlie's Angels" and a 2011 remake of the British police drama "Prime Suspect" that originally starred Helen Mirren in the early 1990s.NBC's "Prime Suspect" is playing down the overt sexism among police toward women officers-in-charge that marked the original series.Creator Alexandra Cunningham said the new version with Maria Bello would be more humorous and would "try to make it more realistic, because sexism isn't gone. It's kind of more subtle and insidious in a modern world."The "Charlie's Angels" remake will bring the glamorous trio of female crime fighters closer to solid ground than their 1970s counterparts by focusing on character, producers said.TV executives say comparisons to "Mad Men" begin and end with the period setting of many of the new offerings. But as Americans struggle to emerge from recession, nostalgia is clearly back in fashion."The early 60s were a very hopeful time, with all kinds of things beginning, and that's what ('The Playboy Club') is about," said executive producer Ian Biederman. "And that's why people are attracted to it right now -- to take a little break from the way things are today"(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)COPYRIGHT: (c) Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

Justin Bieber 'Never Say Never' New Clip Released (Video)

Justin Bieber has released a never-before-seen clip from the Justin Bieber: Never Say Never Director's Fan Cut.our editor recommends Justin Bieber Is the 'Real Deal' and Will Have a Long Career Says Reality TV Producer'Justin Bieber' Director Jon Chu Lands 'G.I. Joe 2' Gig The clip shows Bieber racing around backstage and outside on a segway scooter. PHOTOS: Justin Bieber's Never Say Never Premiere The two-disc DVD set will be sold only at Target beginning on Tuesday. It retails for $29.95. PHOTOS: Justin Bieber's Top 10 THR Outtakes In addition to the new footage, it will include a "Never Say Never" necklace. It's 23 minutes longer than the version shown in theaters. PHOTOS: Justin Bieber's Moustaches The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Bieber's documentary has impressed Academy members -- and could nab a Best Documentary nomination. STORY: Could Justin Bieber's 'Never Say Never' Get a Best Doc Oscar Nomination? The film has earned more than $73 million domestically since it's February 2011 release. Related Topics Justin Bieber Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

Why Disney Will Never Spend $250 Million on The Lone Ranger

As you may have heard, Disney shockingly put the brakes on the planned big-screen adaptation of The Lone Ranger that star Johnny Depp, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski were aiming to bring into theaters next Christmas. The reasons were budgetary — the cost of Ranger had reportedly ballooned to $250 million — but it appears that a mere (“mere”) $20-30 million is all that separates the studio from the filmmakers. Provided some cuts can be made — a task easier said than done, as backend deals and three large-scale action scenes revolving around trains reportedly threaten the compromise — The Lone Ranger could conceivably hit theaters at some point. Unless, of course, Disney realizes it might not be the best idea anyway. Ahead, five reasons why Disney will never spend $250 million on The Lone Ranger. The December release date Per THR, even at the $220 million budget that Disney wants for The Lone Ranger, the film would have to earn $800 million worldwide to hit the black when backend deals and marketing are taken into account. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln! Of the 30 films that have grossed more than $800 million worldwide in Hollywood history, only five have been released in December: Titanic, the three installments of Lord of the Rings and Avatar. Unless The Lone Ranger is a cultural phenomenon on the level of those films (early guess: it won’t be), pushing ticket sales into that tax bracket seems like an impossible task from a Dec. 23 launch. Speaking of which… Brad Pitt, Peter Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio Even taking that imposing box office history into account, The Lone Ranger could flirt with $800 million worldwide, provided it was lone; after all, the last two Johnny Deep-led live-action blockbusters — Alice in Wonderland and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides — reached $1 billion in sales around the globe. Unfortunately, it’s not. The Dec. 23 bow for The Lone Ranger places it against the second weekend of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and — just announced last week before the news of Ranger’s budgetary dirty laundry hit — World War Z with Brad Pitt. Oh, and Django Unchained, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx, which arrives two days later. Johnny Depp is one of the biggest stars on the globe, but even he could have a hard time cutting through against competition like that. It’s a non-sequel There’s an obvious reason why multiplexes are littered with Final Destination 5s, Transformers 3s and Harry Potter 7s: Hollywood loves a sequel. It’s often a real risk to launch something that isn’t part of a larger storyline. (For reference, see Cowboys & Aliens.) Granted, The Lone Ranger is a known property — and a veteran one, which might actually work in its advantage if you believe the success of The Smurfs — but it’s still not an easy sell to audiences, even with Depp’s background launching franchises. Perhaps Disney would be a little more open to spending between $210 and $250 million on The Lone Ranger if there was a number after its title. And sure, we could always go back to Titanic and Avatar, but those were fairly unique cases that actually underscore one critical Lone Ranger hurdle… It’s a Western When True Grit became a surprise box office smash in the winter, Hollywood was ready to love Westerns again; when Cowboys & Aliens become a (not) surprise box office wash-out in July, Hollywood was ready to toss the genre back into the dust bin. Which goes to show that Hollywood is finicky like a house cat with Westerns, you never know whether the audience will show up or not. It’s an older-skewing genre, and Hollywood blockbusters aren’t built for older patrons. Will millennials (especially female millennials) pay money to see The Lone Ranger when Johnny Depp isn’t even playing the titular hero — and the titular hero is a cowboy? It’s too risky Real talk: Even if Verbinski and Bruckheimer can get this film in under budget, and even if Disney threads the needle on the marketing campaign, and even if they find a perfect release date for the film (perhaps late spring 2013), The Lone Ranger still might wash out. When the stakes are this high, why bother taking such a risk? “It’s our intention to take a careful look at what films cost,” Disney CEO Robert Iger said recently, “and if we can’t get them to a level that we’re comfortable with, we think that we’re better off actually reducing the size of our slate than making films that are bigger and increasingly more risky.” Translation: Hi ho, Silver! Go away! · ‘Lone Ranger’: Director, Producer Offer to Trim Fees as Budget Battle Rages [THR] [Photo: Getty Images]

Apple Most Valuable U.S. Company on Stock Market as Thursday Trading Starts

NEW YORK - Tech giant Apple opened Thursday's stock market trading session as the most valuable U.S. company after it managed to close ahead of oil conglomerate Exxon Mobile for the first time on Wednesday. Apple's market value as of Wednesday's close stood at $337.2 billion, compared with Exxon's $330.8 billion. The market capitalization of Apple, led by CEO Steve Jobs, had briefly overtaken Exxon's in Tuesday trading, but the oil company had ended that trading day ahead. Shortly after the opening of Thursday's stock market session, Apple stayed ahead of Exxon as its shares were up 2.8 percent, while the oil company's stock was up 2.5 percent. While the recent stock market turmoil has pushed the stocks of several entertainment conglomerates below their 2010 closing prices, Apple's Wednesday close of $363.69 compares to its 2010 finish of $322.56. That is up 12.8 percent. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Steve Jobs Apple

Alcon in Talks with 'Harry Brown' Director for Thriller 'Substitution' (Exclusive)

Daniel Barber, who last directed the 2009 thriller Harry Brown, is in negotiations to helm Substitution for Alcon Entertainment. The thriller is described as being in the vein of Strangers on a Train but in a high school setting. The story centers on a substitute teacher who coerces a high school student in a murders-swapping plot. Alcon's Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove are producing, as is Kevin McCormick of Langley Park Productions and Steve Crystal. Ian Shorr wrote the script, which is still in development. Barber proved himself adept at coiling up the tension before letting loose with violence in Harry Brown, which starred Michael Caine as a pensioner who is forced to take matters into his own hands when his friend is killed by ruffians. The movie, Barber's feature directorial debut, won the for best British film prize at the Empire Awards. Barber, repped by UTA, Anonymous Content and UK-based Independent, also directed the Oscar-nominated short The Tonto Woman. Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com Twitter: @borys_kit Related Topics

E True Hollywood Story Snooki

Jersey Shore star Snooki's E! True Hollywood Story will premiere on E! tonight (Wednesday) and today the network released the first preview clip of the hour-long special. (Watch it in the left sidebar.) In it Snooki's parents, childhood friend, and cheerleading coach open up about Snooki's love for cheerleading and how her desire "to be tiny" lead her down a dangerous path. Down to 80 pounds at one point, Snooki battled an eating disorder, but according to those close to her she rescued herself before falling too deep.

Octavia Spencer of 'The Help' Says Men Should See the Movie Too (VIDEO)

If you've picked up a book over the past two years or even glanced at who's reading what during your morning commute, there's a very strong chance you're aware of Kathrynn Stockett's best-selling book, 'The Help.' Set in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi, during the early civil rights movement, 'The Help' tells the story of two African American maids who secretly begin assisting a local white woman in writing a book about their lives as second-class citizens in the most racially charged city in the nation. Next Wednesday, August 10, a big-screen adaptation of 'The Help' is headed to theaters, featuring a dream cast of amazing actresses. Among them is Octavia Spencer, who, in what promises to be a breakout role, plays Minny Jackson, an outspoken maid with a devilish secret. In this original video, produced with our network cousins over at Huffington Post Culture and the newly launched Huffington Post Black Voices, reporter Paul Needham talks to Spencer about her friendship with Stockett and director Tate Taylor, her special connection with Minny, and her hope that men will see the movie too. Having both read the novel and attended a screening of the movie earlier this week, this male reporter urges movie lovers of all descriptions not to miss this movie. So are you going to see 'The Help' next week? Photo courtesy of Touchstone Pictures

Another Useless Hollywood Kudocast...

Dick Clark Prods. is developing the "Streamy Honours"to self-congratulateInternet programming.It is a 2-year-old franchise allegedly realizing the very best in web entertainment. The organization is presently searching for a TV home for that event, though some if not completely from the Streamys is going to be situated online. No date or location for the following Streamys continues to be set."The thing would be to create another franchise like our American Music Honours or even the Academy of New Bands Honours,"Ariel Elazar, Vice president of digital distribution and brand certification at DCP stated inside a statement.The privileges towards the Streamys are possessed by Tubefilter, a web-based publication dedicated to movie.DCP and Tubefilter want less a 1-off event and much more a multi-month interactive extravaganza that includes audience participation including voting on choose groups well prior to the express. This new partnership follows 2010 Streamys whichwere declared a disasterbecause of several technical problems. That fiasco motivated the Worldwide Academy of Web Television to disassociate itself in the Streamys after joining with Tubefilter to create that event. The Intl. Academy made the decision to produce its event together with the customer Electronics Association. The IAWTV Honours is going to be locked in Vegas in the Electronic Devices Show in The month of january. So, essentially, the Streamys will be another useless kudocast with no Industry credibility -- not unlike DCP's lengthy connection to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Golden Globes.

Showtime Touts Subscriber Growth, R-Rated Comedy

Die Schlümpfe

When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours -- in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.