Mattel buys Hit for $680 mil

Toymaker Mattel Monday introduced intends to acquire Hit Ing. for $680 million in cash from U.K. private equity finance firm Apax Partners. Hit, from the U.K., with annual revenue around $180 million, is the owner of a premier global portfolio of preschool brands, including Thomas & Buddies, Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Mike and Angelina Ballerina. El Segundo, Calif.-based Mattel is the organization behind Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels, American Girl and several entertainment-inspired toy lines. Speculation in regards to a deal between your two emerged a week ago. Mattel already includes a contract with Hit through 2014 to license certain plastic Thomas items, whose global sales total a lot more than $150 million, the organization stated. The offer, it stated, allows it still expand the items and reunite two key bits of the Thomas toy selection, the plastic and die-cast toys using the wood-based business. "Hit Entertainment is the owner of probably the most loved and reliable preschool brands on the planet and under Mattel's leadership, I anticipate seeing them grow to increased levels," stated Hit Boss Jeffrey Dunn. "Mattel is an excellent steward of brands, along with a great home for that outstanding qualities Hit is promoting and grown." The purchase doesn't include Hit's curiosity about the cable network station Sprout. The transaction is anticipated to become funded with a mix of cash and debt, and it is likely to near the coast the very first quarter of 2012. It's not envisioned having a fabric effect on Mattel's 2012 earnings, but is anticipated to become progressively accretive as the advantages of possessing these brands are reflected in Mattel's results. "Mattel may be the right home for Thomas and buddies," stated Mattel leader Robert Eckert. Hit Boss Jeffrey Dunn added: "It's fitting the world's premier toy company should become who owns the earth's premier pre-school property." Hit, that was produced through the late British media entrepreneur Peter Orton in 1989, was bought by Apax for $890 million in 2005. Within the succeeding years the kids content business continues to be buffeted by decreasing DVD sales and questions over future TV ad revenues. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

The Leading Line (Gojijeon)

A Showbox/Mediaplex presentation of the TPS Co. production in colaboration with A-Po Films. (Worldwide sales: Showbox/Mediaplex, Seoul.) Created by Lee Woo-jung, Kim Hyun-cheol. Executive producer, You Jeong-hoon. Directed by Jang Hoon. Script, Park Sang-yeon.With: Shin '-kyun, Ko Soo, Lee Je-hoon, Ryu Seung-soo, Ko Chang-seok, David Lee, Ryoo Seung-yong, Kim Ok-vin, Cho Jin-woong. (Korean, British dialogue)Even though it does not provide a new chapter for that war-is-hell playbook, "The Leading Line" is really a solid if overlong chronicle of the South Korean unit plowing it close to the 38th parallel throughout the 1950-53 conflict. Engaging auds psychologically with strong figures and bittersweet moments of opponents fraternizing from the distance, South Korea's foreign-language Oscar submission became one from the year's greatest domestic hits, with 2.95 million admissions since its This summer 20 release, and won the very best prize in the national Golden Bell honours. Offshore theatrical exposure seems unlikely, however the pic's high-quality action footage bodes well for ancillary. Setting is The month of january 1953, 2 yrs after armistice discussions commenced. Designated to research the potential murder of the officer by among their own males and eliminate a suspected communist mole, military intelligence officer Kang Eun-pyo (Shin '-kyun) is sent to Alligator Unit, that is now underneath the command of morphine-addicted Shin Il-yeong (Lee Je-hoon). A ragged squad that lacks discipline and it has come to putting on enemy uniforms to help keep warm, Alligator includes burly joker Yang Hyo-mike (Ko Chang-seok), scared teen Nam Sang-sik (David Lee) and Kim Su-hyeok (Ko Soo), a classic friend of Kang's whose open comments about military brass mark him because the potential traitor. The senselessness of war is represented by Alligator Unit's pursuit to capture Aerok Hill, a little peak around the 38th parallel that's transformed hands with monotonous regularity since hostilities commenced. Forever taking up then retreating in the same chunk of property, Alligator along with a like-minded number of North Koreans established a concealed mailbox on Aerok Hill where gifts are exchanged and letters from Northern soldiers to family members within the South are collected and shipped with no feeling of wrongdoing. These connections between authors and visitors from the letters form a good emotional core, however the tension surrounding Kang's putative mission soon fizzles, and also the pic's message concerning the horror from it all becomes labored after another assault on Aerok Hill. Delivering partial compensation, suspense-smart, are sudden looks with a deadly North Korean sniper performed through the film's sole female cast member, Kim Ok-vin. Credit scripter Park Sang-yeon and helmer Jang Hoon because of not involving in a saber rattling. Given not only token screen time, North Korean figures including damaged commander Oh Gi-yeong (Ryu Seung-soo) seem being just like fed up with the fighting his or her South Korean alternatives. Thesping is okay, without any macho posturing around the corner. Shin is charming because the officer whose feeling of duty is tossed off balance through the stark reality he encounters at Aerok Hill, and Lee Je-hoon is memorable because the youthful commander that has attended hell and in the road of duty. Pictures by d.p. Kim Woo-hyung subtly change from gritty in fight sequences to wash but never glossy in quieter moments. The relaxation from the technical package is topnotch.Camera (color, HD), Kim Woo-hyung editors, Kim Sang-beom, Kim Jae-beom music, Jang Youthful-gyu, Dalparan production designer, Ryu Seong-hie costume designer, Cho Sang-kyung seem (Dolby Digital), Jeong Gwang-ho visual effects administrators, Jeong Seong-jin, Heo Dong-hyeok visual effects, Digital Idea. Examined at Busan Film Festival (Korean Cinema Today), March. 13, 2011. (Also in Vancouver, Hawaii film festivals.) Running time: 133 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

New 'Hugo' Poster: Asa Butterfield Meets Harold Lloyd [Moviefone Exclusive]

The new version of 'The Three Musketeers' may be the first screen iteration of the 17th Century epic that includes flamethrowers, a fleet of airships, and a Milady de Winter who bungee jumps and has ninja-like weapons skills. It's also in 3D. Other than that, however, Paul W.S. Anderson's take on the Alexandre Dumas classic is treading on awfully familiar ground. Since 1903, the story has been filmed dozens of times, and not just in France or Hollywood, but also in Mexico, Italy, the Soviet Union, Argentina, Egypt and Iran. There's even at least one porno version. So the 2011 film will have to fill some pretty big boots if it wants to join the list below, which traces 'The Three Musketeers' through some of its most memorable screen incarnations. 'The Three Musketeers' (2011) - Trailer No. 2 • 1921: This silent version was far from the earliest (there are at least four previous efforts), but it was the first to feature a star of the caliber of Douglas Fairbanks, the premier swashbuckler of the silent era. His D'Artagnan isn't as memorable as his Zorro or Thief of Baghdad, but he's still a lot of fun. • 1933: John Wayne's version is called 'The Three Musketeers,' but it's a modernization that's pretty much unrecognizable as an update of the Dumas tale. The heroes are aviators fighting swarthy villains in an Arabian desert. Wayne looks like he'd rather be on a horse. • 1935: Walter Abel plays D'Artagnan in a version generally considered lackluster, though it's clear that the 1948 version took a lot of inspiration from the film. It also took Ian Keith, who plays Richelieu henchman Rochefort in both movies. • 1939: For some reason, this musical comedy version is the most fondly remembered 'Three Musketeers' of Hollywood's golden era. Don Ameche plays it straight as D'Artagnan, but the three veteran musketeers are played by the Ritz Brothers. Future 'Titanic' star Gloria Stuart is on hand as Queen Anne (curiously, her lines are dubbed). Allan Dwan, director of several Fairbanks adventures, oversees a handsome, lavish production. • 1948: Gene Kelly has all the athleticism required of a cocky, young D'Artagnan, and Vincent Price makes for a deliciously evil Richelieu. (And yep, that's Angela Lansbury as Queen Anne.) Kelly's swordfighting footage gets reused three years later in the opening sequence of 'Singin' in the Rain.' • 1952: A sequel called 'At Sword's Point' features the grown children of the musketeers. Cornel Wilde is D'Artagnan's son, future 'Gilligan's Island' skipper Alan Hale Jr. is the son of Porthos (of course). In a modern touch, Athos's daughter is fiery Maureen O'Hara, who proves just as skilled with a sword as the guys. • 1973: This version is generally considered the best, thanks largely to Richard Lester's typically antic direction, a clever screenplay by George MacDonald Fraser (author of the Flashman novels), and an outstanding cast. Michael York is a bumbling young D'Artagnan, the irrepressible Oliver Reed is Athos, a dashing Richard Chamberlain is Aramis, and a wry Frank Finlay is Porthos. Raquel Welch is surprisingly funny in the ingenue role as Constance. And for hissable villains, you can't do better than Faye Dunaway as Milady de Winter, Christopher Lee as Rochefort, and Charlton Heston as Richelieu. Raucous and lively, it spawned two sequels, reuniting Lester, Fraser, and most of the same cast: 1974's 'The Four Musketeers' and 1989's 'The Return of the Musketeers.' • 1993: Made by Disney, this not-bad version features an unlikely cast of musketeers: Chris O'Donnell (D'Artagnan), Charlie Sheen (Aramis), Kiefer Sutherland (Athos) and Oliver Platt (Porthos). Among the villains, Rebecca De Mornay is the standout; Tim Curry should be having a lot more fun as Richelieu. The swordfighting is good, the humor overly broad, the dialogue anachronistically contemporary. Still, it's fun to watch Platt amusing himself or Sutherland brooding like a rapier-wielding Jack Bauer. • 2001: It's called 'The Musketeer' and centers primarily on D'Artagnan, though all four show up at least briefly, as played by relative no-name actors. (Star Justin Chambers eventually made good on TV's 'Grey's Anatomy.') As the queen, the iconic Catherine Deneuve lends the production more class, dignity, and French-ness than it warrants. Peter Hyams' movie exists mostly as an excuse for stunts and action set pieces; it's notable as the first Musketeers movie to use 'Matrix'-style wire fu. In that, it probably presages the 2011 Paul W.S. Anderson version. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook Follow Gary Susman on Twitter @garysusman RELATED

Julianna Margulies and Dylan McDermott Changed Early Struggles With Wise Moves

Julianna Margulies and Dylan McDermott Changed Early Struggles With Wise Moves By Dany Margolies October 19, 2011 Photo by Blake Gardner Julianna Margulies and Dylan McDermott After various smaller sized roles, Julianna Margulies found fame as nurse Carol Hathaway on "ER" which is presently the star of "The Truly Amazing Wife." Dylan McDermott broke together with "Hamburger Hill" after which it "Steel Magnolias," eventually striking it huge as Bobby Donnell in "The Practice." The Two pals in contrast a few notes round the occasion of Back Stage's 50th anniversary, searching back around the own growing accomplishments.Back Stage: The thing that was your worst or oddest audition? Julianna Margulies: My oddest audition was relocating around the commercial for a lot of type of tourism company. They asked for me to use a bikini, after which it inside the auditionthey asked for me to improvise developing a hut round the beach with palm tree branches. I obtained close to the second branch and recognized how absurd everything was, therefore i selected up my stuff and basically mentioned, "I'm not appropriate with this,Inch and left. In my opinion that was 1990.Dylan McDermott: There's an occasion when I used to be who audition for "The Princess Bride." That was a existence-changing audition. I used to be in NY, which i felt like I really required to choose this role. Jane Jenkins was casting it with Jesse Hirshenson, who from that audition increased being large fans of mine. Anyway, it absolutely was for [director] Make the most of Reiner. It absolutely was the swashbuckler role that Mandy Patinkin got. However understood that we required to go full-scale with this particular role, therefore i made a decision, in Tom Cruise style, to leap around the conference table and wield a swordan imaginary sword, of courseand become this individual. It needed a lot of effort to actually begin the ground on top in the conference table and extremely not fall. However managed to get. I hopped round the conference table, I did so the whole swashbuckler factor, and so they jeered and believe it is the best factor. From that, they cast me in "Within the kind of Fire" and "Miracle on 34th Street" and "The Cowboy Way," and so they just increased being fans of mine. Nevertheless it was among people moments where they were like, "Oh, my God, this individual just must go" or "It had been a home run." It worked out, which i felt appreciate it was embarrassing however in the same time frame it labored in the strange way. Nevertheless it shown me that we always will need to go with this on some level.Back Stage: The thing that was the initial "luxury" item you bought if you started generating money becoming an actor? McDermott: I bought a 1988 Porsche Targa. In my opinion it blew my thoughts because I'd never made anything before. I had been elevated inadequate, with my grandmother we were living, like, on $100 each week. Which I bought attempted around the extender had, like, 60,000 miles about it. I've it today. It's among people novelty items I'll always remember about since it guarantees that I'd handled to obtain where I came from from. Literally, I used to be that guy who was simply moving pennies to live, and once i bought that vehicle it absolutely was among the finest occasions of my lifenot since it might be an automobile, it absolutely was due to the fact I'd labored so difficult which i'd attracted myself up by my bootstraps and indexed and scratched and did whatever you do around and may buy this Porsche, which was not necessarily throughout my craziest dreams.Margulies: The initial luxury item I bought with my first salary from acting was good hair conditioner!Back Stage: It's our 50th anniversary. The thing that was the best factor you've ever completed to make certain that you'll probably maintain business for just about any very very long time? McDermott: My philosophy around is actually "steady but very slow wins the race." In my opinion that, personally, the craft of acting always came first. I never increased being an actress to become uniform in order to become famous to be able to be on magazine covers. I went inside it because I really, truly loved it, after i do today. Which I usually maintained that philosophy throughout my career, that after I didn't enjoy it I'd stop it. And I have not dropped it. I've elevated minimizing, but I have not lost the passion for this, but that has always saved me even-keeled. Once I enter any kind of tailspin, I merely return for the work. But that's probably from my acting teacher, Sandy [Sanford] Meisner as well as the Neighborhood Playhouse, that trained me thatingrained inside me, coded in methe craft of acting might be the most important factor, and also the relaxation from the stuff is just smoke and mirrors.McDermott stars in "American Horror Story," Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Foreign exchange. Julianna Margulies and Dylan McDermott Changed Early Struggles With Wise Moves By Dany Margolies October 19, 2011 Julianna Margulies and Dylan McDermott PHOTO CREDIT Blake Gardner After various smaller sized roles, Julianna Margulies found fame as nurse Carol Hathaway on "ER" which is presently the star of "The Truly Amazing Wife." Dylan McDermott broke together with "Hamburger Hill" after which it "Steel Magnolias," eventually striking it huge as Bobby Donnell in "The Practice." The Two pals in contrast a few notes round the occasion of Back Stage's 50th anniversary, searching back on their own growing accomplishments.Back Stage: The thing that was your worst or oddest audition? Julianna Margulies: My oddest audition was relocating around the commercial for a lot of type of tourism company. They asked for me to use a bikini, after which it inside the auditionthey asked for me to improvise developing a hut round the beach with palm tree branches. I obtained close to the second branch and recognized how absurd everything was, therefore i acquired my stuff and basically mentioned, "I'm not appropriate with this,Inch and left. In my opinion that was 1990.Dylan McDermott: There's an occasion when I used to be who audition for "The Princess Bride." That was a existence-changing audition. I used to be in NY, which i felt like I really required to choose this role. Jane Jenkins was casting it with Jesse Hirshenson, who from that audition increased being large fans of mine. Anyway, it absolutely was for [director] Make the most of Reiner. It absolutely was the swashbuckler role that Mandy Patinkin got. However understood that we required to go full-scale with this particular role, therefore i made a decision, in Tom Cruise style, to leap around the conference table and wield a swordan imaginary sword, of courseand become this individual. It needed plenty of effort to actually begin the ground on top in the conference table and extremely not fall. However managed to get. I hopped round the conference table, I did so the whole swashbuckler factor, and so they jeered and believe it is the best factor. From that, they cast me in "Within the kind of Fire" and "Miracle on 34th Street" and "The Cowboy Way," and so they just increased being fans of mine. Nevertheless it was among people moments where they were like, "Oh, my God, this individual just must go" or "It had been a home run." It worked out, which i felt appreciate it was embarrassing but concurrently it labored in the strange way. Nevertheless it shown me that we always will need to go with this on some level.Back Stage: The thing that was the initial "luxury" item you bought if you started generating money becoming an actor? McDermott: I bought a 1988 Porsche Targa. In my opinion it blew my ideas because I'd never made anything before. I had been elevated insufficient, with my grandmother we were living, like, on $100 each week. Which I bought attempted around the extender had, like, 60,000 miles about it. I've it today. It's among people novelty items I'll always remember about because it guarantees that I'd handled to obtain where I came from from. Literally, I used to be that guy who was simply moving pennies to live, then when I bought that vehicle it absolutely was among the finest occasions of my lifenot since it might be an automobile, it absolutely was due to the fact I'd labored so desperately which i'd attracted myself up by my bootstraps and indexed and scratched and did whatever you do around and may buy this Porsche, which was not necessarily throughout my craziest dreams.Margulies: The initial luxury item I bought with my first salary from acting was good hair conditioner!Back Stage: It's our 50th anniversary. The thing that was the best factor you've ever completed to make certain that you'll probably be in operation for just about any very very long time? McDermott: My philosophy around is actually "steady but very slow wins the race." In my opinion that, personally, the craft of acting always came first. I never increased being an actress to become uniform to be able to be famous to be able to be on magazine covers. I went inside it because I truly, truly loved it, after i do today. Which I usually maintained that philosophy throughout my career, that after I didn't enjoy it I'd stop it. And I have not dropped it. I've elevated minimizing, but I have not lost the passion for this, but that has always saved me even-keeled. Once I enter any kind of tailspin, I merely go back to the task. But that's probably from my acting teacher, Sandy [Sanford] Meisner as well as the Neighborhood Playhouse, that trained me thatingrained inside me, coded in methe craft of acting is a vital factor, and also the relaxation from the stuff is just smoke and mirrors.McDermott stars in "American Horror Story," Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Foreign exchange.

Actress Sues IMDb for $a million for Revealing Her Age

An un named actress is suing Amazon . com.com's IMDb for revealing her age, the NY Publish reviews.our editor recommendsCosta-Gavras planning for a Euro IMDbEnhanced IMDb.com Application Offers Complete Coverage of Movies, TV Projects "Within the entertainment industry, youth rules,Inch reads the suit, that was filed in Dallas federal court under "Jane Doe." IMDb relies in Dallas. PHOTOS: Hollywood's New Leading Ladies "If your are perceived as being 'over-the-hill,' i.e. approaching 40, it's extremely difficult to have an up-and-coming actress, like the complaintant, to obtain work." adds the suit. The lady doesn't list her age, but does reveal she's residing in Texas. PHOTOS: Hollywood's 10 Greatest-Compensated Stars She claims that IMDb acquired her personal data in 2008 when she activated towards the site's pay service, IMDbPro. "Soon after signing up to IMDbPro, complaintant observed that her legal birth date have been put into her public profile ... revealing towards the public the complaintant is a long time over the age of she looks," the suit states.

Shame Premieres At The LFF

Fassbender & McQueen in townThe first of MichaelFassbender's two sexy-crisis dramas at this year's BFILondonFilm Festival*, Shame, premiered on Friday night at the Vue West End, with Fassbender and director Steve McQueen in attendance.{London Film Festival 2011 - Shame Premiere}The pair, re-teaming after their collaboration on Hunger, tell the story of compulsive sex addict Brandon (Fassbender) as his sister Sissy (CareyMulligan) comes to visit. Both are damaged souls, and it's clear that sex is not the answer to either's problems. Mulligan, who's shooting TheGreatGatsby, sadly wasn't there tonight. Shame is out on January 13, 2012.*See also:A Dangerous Method.

Artificial Eye on 'Trishna' privileges

LONDON -- Brit indie distrib Artificial Eye has clicked up U.K. and Irish privileges for Michael Winterbottom's "Trishna." Pic, starring Freida Pinto and Riz Ahmed, is really a contempo re-imagining of Thomas Hardy's "Tess from the D'Ubervilles" occur India, that informs the storyline from the boy of the wealthy property developer who starts a troubled relationship using the daughter of the autorickshaw owner. Acquisition comes in front of the pic's U.K. preem in the London Film Festival in a few days. Deal was discussed by Bankside Films' mind of selling and purchasers Stephen Kelliher and Artificial Eye Boss Louisa Dent. Winterbottom and Melissa Parmenter created the pic, that was funded by Bankside and also the now shuttered U.K. Film Council along with VTR Media Opportunities, Bob Film Sweden and Film i Huge using the support from the Swedish Film Institute. Pic preemed in the Toronto Film Festival recently. Artificial Eye is planning for a spring release for that pic in Blighty. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com