'Prometheus' Scribe Damon Lindelof Talks Robots, Slimy Corporations & Ridley Scott Collab

The official "Prometheus" synopsis has been unleashed, and as cool as it is A discovery about the origins of humanity! An intergalactic voyage! An extraterrestrial battle with genocide-level implications! the description still leaves much about Ridley Scott's "Alien"-DNA project unknown. All in good time. Back at San Diego Comic-Con, though, "Prometheus" writer/producer Damon Lindelof kicked us a ton of info about his collaboration with Scott, the nature of the roles Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron play in the film, and who might actually turn out to be the hero-heir to Sigourney Weaver's Ripley. With the "Prometheus" synopsis on the web, we figured now is the right time to roll out our interview. Read on for insight into the 2012 flick, in Lindelof's own words. Collaborating with Ridley "Having done 'Lost' for six years, I felt this tremendous responsibility because I'm one of the visionaries behind the show, so there's no safety net below you. When I got the call [from Ridley] I had this tremendous amount of relief and comfort that Ridley Scott is going to be the safety net. What ensued was a series of conversations where I was kind of interviewing Ridley to get a sense of the movie he wanted to make. Once I got a sense of that, then it was really about channeling that idea so that I was realizing his vision, as opposed to imposing my vision on it. That was my perspective. His perspective was more kind and generous in terms of ideas that I brought to the movie. But really everything I was coming up with was just a different spin on what he was saying to me." Fassbender's Role "He plays a robot. One of the things that evokes the idea of 'Blade Runner' is, 'What does the movie look like from the robot's point of view?' If you were to ask him, 'What do you think about all of this? What's going on? What do you think about these humans who are around you?,' wouldn't it be cool if we found a way for that robot to answer those questions. When you cast a guy like Fassbender, who's going to bring a lot more to it than [makes clichd robot movements] that was me doing the robot, I don't know if you could tell it's not Anthony Daniels. All due respect. He's phenomenal. But C-P3O" Theron's Role "Her character's name is Meredith Vickers and she's sort of a corporate entity. That's another one of the familiar things from the 'Alien' movies that there are corporate interests in play. I feel like Charlize brought a new spin on that old variation. It's a remix . I don't think she's slimy [like Paul Reiser's character in 'Aliens']. She's not the fast-talking, snake-oil face of the company. By the way, "What company is she a face of?," I think is a big part of the fun. As we were developing the script, she had some really cool ideas that made it not the suit you're used to." The Ensemble "I think one of the really cool things about the first 'Alien,' if you watch it cold, Ripley is kind in the background like one of the crew members, and you're like, 'Skerrit's [who played Captain Dallas] the hero of the movie,' and he's one of the first to go. And then you're like, 'It's [the engineer played by] Harry Dean Stanton.' And, no, he's gone and suddenly Sigourney Weaver, in the last 40 minutes of the movie, is the only one left alive. I think the idea of building a really cool ensemble and again presenting the audience with like, 'Who's going to be left standing at the end of this movie? Maybe all of them. Probably not,' [that's] part of the fun of what we set out to do." Tell us what you think in the comments section and on Twitter!

Watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows The Movie

Paranormal Activity 3 Viral VHS Tapes Pop Up at Fantastic Fest

Today at Fantastic Fest, Movieline got its hands on a VHS tape labeled “September 1988,” packaged in an unmarked manila envelope. Perhaps (probably) not coincidentally, the date corresponds to recently released footage from Paranormal Activity 3, the forthcoming found footage prequel about spooky goings-on in the lives of a family haunted by unseen forces. Could this have something to do with tomorrow’s hotly anticipated secret screening? The first secret screening of this year’s fest was Pedro Almodovar’s The Skin I Live In, and buzz around Fantastic Fest had Paranormal Activity 3 as a good guess for Secret Screening #2. The original Paranormal Activity, filmed for $15,000, first debuted on the festival circuit and played Fantastic Fest before turning into a box office phenomenon fueled by word of mouth and viral marketing. Its follow-up, 2010’s Paranormal Activity 2, also screened at the Austin festival and employed a local viral campaign consisting of footage mysteriously popping up around town on flash drives. Taking place in 1988, Paranormal Activity 3 is a prequel that explains what happened to sisters Katie and Kristi back when they were kids when they first caught the attention of the demonic spirit that would haunt their families in the first two films. (Watch three previously released preview clips of PA3 here for a taste.) I haven’t yet had a chance to hunt down a VHS player here in Austin to see what’s on the tape. (Anyone nearby have one? Hit me up at @jenyamato.) Is this the first piece of concrete evidence that Fantastic Fest is about to get spooked yet again? Paranormal Activity 3 is set to hit theaters on October 21, so a surprise debut at Fantastic Fest would mark its world premiere. If you PA fans didn’t yet have a ticket to the Secret Screening #2, which screens tomorrow at midnight, now might be the time to start hunting them down. Get more Movieline coverage of Fantastic Fest here and follow us on Twitter!

Transformers 3 Online Free

Chastain sets sights on sci-fi pic

ChastainAfter a extended search, Ernest Kosinski has selected Jessica Chastain for a couple of female leads in Universal's untitled sci-fier starring Tom Cruise. Formerly titled "Oblivion" and/or "Horizons," pic involves a soldier situated around the future Earth,the very best that was destroyed by aliens. When he discovers a mysterious lady in the crash-showed up pod, it sparks a number of occasions that induce him to question everything they are fully aware. William Monahan and Karl Gajdusek modified the script with various graphic novel that Kosinski ("Tron: Legacy") written. Peter Chernin and Dylan Clark are coming up with through Chernin Entertainment as well as Craig Levine of Radical Posting and Kosinski. Production is predicted to do this winter Universal is slating the film to bow This summer time 19, 2013. Disney dropped the pic in March, but Universal selected up and contains handled to obtain a high priority, particularly with Cruise's historic attachment. Variety first reported in August that Chastain was one of several stars who examined with Cruise this list incorporated Olivia Wilde, Brit Marling and Noomi Rapace. You will discover two major female roles inside the film -- the mysterious lady and Cruise's wife -- plus it wasn't immediately recognized for which role Chastain was settling. Chastain has came out this year in Fox Searchlight's "Tree of Existence," DreamWorks' "The AssistanceInch as well as the Weinstein Co.'s "Your Financial Troubles,In . with "Coriolanus" and "Take Shelter" prone to bow later this year. She's also showed up charge in U horror pic "Mama," produced by Guillermo del Toro. She's repped by CAA and Variety. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Le Skylab

A Film, Mars Films, France 2 Cinema, Tempete Sous not Crane Push. production, while using participation of Canal Plus, Cinecinema, in colaboration with Sofica Coficup, Backup Films, Arte, Cofinova 5, Soficinema 7, Manon, Cofimage 22, Cinemage 5. (Worldwide sales: Films Distribution, Paris.) Produced by Michael Gentile. Directed, put together by Julie Delpy.With: Lou Alvarez, Julie Delpy, Eric Elmosnino, Aure Atika, Noemie Lvovsky, Bernadette Lafont, Emmanuelle Riva, Vincent Lacoste, Marc Ruchmann, Sophie Quinton, Valerie Bonneton, Denis Menochet, Jean-Louis Coulloc'h, Michele Goddet, Luc Bernard, Albert Delpy, Candide Sanchez, Karin Viard, Lily Savey, Chloe Antoni, Maxime Julliand, Felicien Moquet, Antoine Yvard, Anne-Charlotte now now Moquet, Angelo Souny, Leo Michel-Freundlich, Noah Huntley.For people who recall family occasions when many people were funny, most were tolerable as well as the finish never came very quickly, there's "Le Skylab" to produce everything back. Julie Delpy's fourth turn as helmer can be a nostalgia ride to 1979 inside the guise of the large family get-together round the eve in the forecasted crash of NASA's Skylab. The many figures inhabiting the formless script provides moments of amusement, but, similar to cousins, they overstay their welcome. Local play could burn gaily at first, with possible brief, bicoastal arthouse expansion. A pointless present-day framework device offers simply a cameo to Karin Viard as Albertine, who wistfully recalls that summer season of '79 when she was 10 (with full confidence carried out by Lou Alvarez) and beginning to control the earth. The relatives will get together in Brittany for just about any weekend birthday celebration for grandmother Amandine (Bernadette Lafont), so Albertine, her lefty parents Jean (Eric Elmosnino) and Anna (Delpy), and maternal gran Lucienne (Emmanuelle Riva) drive in from Paris. Already you will discover Jean's five siblings and siblings utilizing their partners and kids, plus older uncle Hubert (Albert Delpy). Inside the nearly two several hours of screentime that ensue, family people gossip, barbecue, produce a beach trip, argue and question once the Skylab will fall around the heads. Really, only Albertine expresses concern, as well as the space station's imminent break-up can be a delicately incidental part of the plot it might be apparent the film is using it essentially to impress a light nostalgic nudge. Indeed, nostalgia appears being the main raison d'etre here, as well as the art department certainly has fun using the late '70s in many their unflattering glory, while helmer Delpy features a ball dredging within the sights and sounds of her childhood. The enjoyment, palpable among the stars too, is tangible, and goes a means toward holding the sprawling script together, but under far enough. The quantity of figures might be overwhelming, plus it requires a while to find out who would go to whom. Especially awkward is when a movie card card inserts political arguments between left and right, with Jean's brothers and sisters-in-law Roger (Denis Menochet) and Fredo (Jean-Louis Coulloc'h) espousing neo-fascist rhetoric in the dinner scene that plays as if your family were not used to political infighting. An unusual scene with Roger sleepwalking into another mattress room should really illustrate the extent of his trauma becoming an Algerian war vet, but it's bizarrely abnormal. Given her normal work as leading lady, it's not surprise Delpy seems most confident handling her artists, and she's on firmer ground here with light social comedy than she's in the costume drama "The Countess." Due to the overall chipper tone together with a proper dose of infectious good-naturedness, some thesps stand out inside the crowd, particularly Valerie Bonneton and Noemie Lvovsky as a few Jean's brothers and sisters youthful Leo Michel-Freundlich as mischievous cousin Robert and Riva, who turns an underwritten part in to a lesson inside the energy of personality. Digital projection helps to make the vibrant, artificial lighting look a lot more fake, climax in conjuction with the sunny view in which the helmer bathes yesteryear. Musical options raise the trip lower memory lane.Camera (color), Lubomir Bakchev editor, Isabelle Devinck music supervisor, Matthieu Sibony production designer, Yves Fournier costume designers, Pierre-Yves Gayraud, Cristina Mirete appear (Dolby Digital), Michel Casang, Stephane Thiebault connect producer, Lauraine Heftler assistant director, Jerome Borenstein casting, Stephane Batut, Elsa Pharaon. Examined at San Sebastian Film Festival (competing), Sept. 19, 2011. Running time: 113 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Jackie Earle Haley Joins Lincoln subsequently

He'll play Alexander StephensYou may think that Steven Spielberg had lengthy since collected all of the talent he must make Lincoln subsequently. But you would be wrong! He's just added Jackie Earle Haley towards the cast. Haley, last seen reinventing Freddy Krueger inside a Nightmare on Elm Street and today at the office on Dark Shadows, continues to be hired to experience Alexander Stephens in Spielberg's large historic pic. Stephens was vice-leader from the Confederate States throughout the Civil War along with a huge opponent of Abraham Lincoln's intends to abolish slavery. So fervent was his belief in the concept that he even gave an infamous speech by which he stated slavery was natural condition of individuals swept up inside it and also the cornerstone from the Confederacy. Charming bloke...Haley joins an ensemble that already includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Area, Tommy Lee Johnson, Frederick Gordon-Levitt, David Strathairn, Walton Goggins, James Spader, Lee Pace and John Hawkes. Working from the script by John Logan and Tony Kushner, Spielberg intends to start shooting the film the following month, ready for release at the end of 2012.

Fox's 'X-Factor' opens to 12 million

Primetime's latest singing competition series, Fox's "The X-Factor," bowed to solid but unimpressive amounts Wednesday, a evening that saw ABC close strong with series levels for "Modern Family" - the night's No. 1 show in demos - and a good beginning for drama "Revenge." According to preliminary national estimations from Nielsen, the Simon Cowell-fronted "X-Factor" opened up up getting a 2-hour episode that averaged a 4.2 rating/12 participate grownups 18-49 and 12.millions of audiences overall - below 5.1 demo score that NBC's "The Voice" notched having its premiere in the finish of April, and under one-half the 9.8 that Fox's "The The American Idol Show ShowInch opened up up within mid-The month of the month of january. While excellent fall premiere amounts for nearly every other new show, anticipation industrywide were that "X-Factor" would leave the gate a lot more effective.It absolutely was beaten inside the 9 o'clock hour by ABC's hourlong "Modern Family" (6./15 in 18-49, 14.3 million audiences overall) in addition to only agreed to be slightly ahead in demos over CBS' potent "Criminal Minds" (4.1/10 in 18-49, 14.millions of audiences overall), which beat "X-Factor" in general audiences. "Modern Family" was up 18% versus. its year-ago premiere, while lead-in "The Middle,In . whose hourlong premiere featured guest star Ray Romano, also hit series levels (3./9 in 18-49, 9.6 000 0000 audiences overall).Despite facing "X-Factor" together with a far more effective "Modern Family," CBS vet "Criminal Minds" was remarkably up 2% in 18-49 versus. a year ago, while "CSI" will be a 7% improvement over last year's premiere of "The Defenders" at 10 o'clock. Earlier, "Survivor" (3.1/9 in 18-49, 10.4 million audiences overall) made it the "X-Factor" bow reasonably well, sinking 9% below last week's season premiere but coming about 20% below last year's second episode.ABC used the hourlong "Modern Family" to steer into its new 10 p.m. drama "Revenge," which won its hour in 18-49 (3.4/9) while drawing 10.millions of audiences overall. "Revenge" will require related to no "Modern Family" lead-in inside a couple of days as "Happy Being" will get control the 9:30 p.m. slot, but it's already apparent the brand new soapy drama is certainly a noticable difference over last year's dud "The Whole Truth," which opened up as much as some mere 1.5 demo score.Adopted CBS vet "CSI" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 12.6 000 0000 audiences overall) introduced the ten p.m. hour in general audiences not remarkably having its first original episode on Wednesday and was neck-and-neck with "Revenge" for your hour's lead among grownups 25-54.It absolutely was a hard evening for NBC, though leadoff comedy "Up With The Evening," which came solid amounts having its special preview last Wednesday, shown some existence (2.3/7 in 18-49, 6. million audiences overall) -up over last year's "Undercovers" as well as the best performance for just about any regular show inside the timeslot for your internet since December. Auds quickly switched elsewhere at 8:30 p.m., however, as "Free Agents" stood a meek time-period bow (1.3/4 in 18-49, 3.9 million audiences overall). Things continued to be quiet at 9 o'clock for your Peacock while using second-season premiere of "Harry's Law" (1.2/3 in 18-49, 7.3 million audiences overall), whose low amounts made existence a difficulty on "Law & Order: Special Sufferers Unit" (2.3/6 in 18-49, 7.6 000 0000 audiences overall), which went a distant third at 10 o'clock and was lower significantly from a year ago. As well as the CW barely registered with "Hater" (.4/one out of 18-49, 1.millions of audiences overall) as well as the once-vital "America's Next Top Model" (.7/2 in 18-49, 1.6 000 0000 audiences overall). Preliminary 18-49 earnings for your evening: Fox, 4.2/12 ABC, 4.1/11 CBS, 3.5/9 NBC, 1.8/5 Univision, 1.7/4 CW, .6/2.In general audiences: CBS, 12.3 million Fox, 12.millions of ABC, 11.4 million NBC, 6.6 000 0000 Univision, 3.7 million CW, 1.3 million. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com

EMMYS: Drama Series Handicap

Ray Richmond is contributing to Payment dates 2011 Emmy coverage. Heres his scorecard assessing the Outstanding Drama Series race. Mad Males (AMC) Lionsgate TV Why It Absolutely Was Nominated: Because its televisions reigning defacto standard, because of this, with 19 total nominations this year (greater than almost every other series and second among all shows behind the Cinemax small Mildred Pierce, which totalled 21). Matt Weiner sixties ad agency hour has won three occasions back to back here by winning a fourth would tie Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law as well as the West Wing for Outstanding Drama Emmys. Within the fourth season, experts and fans seem to remain in agreement that Mad Males remains near the top of its game. If its still about quality, just hands the Emmy over. Why It Must Win: Mad Males is around the roll, the one that shows no signs and signs and symptoms of derailing with wins this year within the Television Experts Association as well as the inaugural Experts Choice Award. They did a couple of of the appropiate product this season, one producer states, as well as the level that Weiner is operating at type of leaves the majority of us in awe. Its amazingly good. This show appears being that rarest of exceptions: The one that started out hot and contains grown only warmer each year additionally to backlash-proof. Why It Cant Possibly Win: You will discover a couple of monkey wrenches that could squelch the 2010 anticipated Mad Males coronation. One is the fact that, unlike its first three years in Emmy contention, the show did not have fresh episodes this summer season throughout voting time — pressed to next spring by Weiners protracted contract discussions. These guys people very discussions themselves that found the headstrong Males creator-showrunner all over the media while using sometimes acrimonious back-and-forth. You will notice some who dont election for your show from jealousy keen on Weiner, a voting author thinks. “But its difficult to know how much that will matter. Boardwalk Empire (Cinemax) Leverage, Nearest for the Hole Prods, Sikelia Prods & Cold Front Prods w/ Cinemax Ing Why It Absolutely Was Nominated: The epic and ambitious Prohibition-designed mob extravaganza epitomizes what Cinemax does best — that's, supplying individuals with who know very well what theyre doing like professional producer Martin Scorsese and showrunner/Sopranos alumnus Terence Winter season, budget and artistic freedom to achieve greatness. In this situation, that means 18 Emmy nominations within the first season. Boardwalk includes the film-quality cache’ thats made Cinemax product catnip for the TV academy. Getting Scorseses title attached doesn't hurt, either. Why It Must Win: This looked being a real slam-dunk when Boardwalk opened up 11 several days ago. Experts spoken (mostly), the amounts were solid, it absolutely was restored for just about any second season the following day of their premiere, so the show won every award nearby inside the ensuing four several days. That is one all happened a seeming lifetime ago, the Scorsese factor cant be overlooked or reduced. Contrary will knock Mad Males in the pedestal, this looks to offer the best shot. Why It Cant Possibly Win: Voters have infamously short recollections, even when you will discover Digital video disks exist for help remind them. The thrill and momentum for Boardwalk, which returns due to its second season on Sept. 25, has extended since disappeared. That wont help its cause. Also, its HBOs Emmy prowess, it's taken this category only two occasions: The Sopranos in 2004 and 07. Mad Males has won additionally to that particular by simply itself. While you TV academy member assured me: Mad Males will miss one of these brilliant years. This just doesn't appear like it's the year. The Truly Amazing Wife (CBS) CBS Prods Why It Absolutely Was Nominated: Theres hardly any conisder this is really the very best drama presently on broadcast television, which isn't essentially damning the second-year show with faint praise. Co-showrunners Robert and Michelle King have determined a means to skirt the creative limitations of broadcast television to supply The Truly Amazing Wife cable-level creativity and production values. Thats no small achievement when theyre requiring to show out 22 episodes a season rather than 10, 12 or 13. Because of this this really is really the only real network series to crash the course this year, its second consecutive jerk then one of nine honors total. Why It Must Win: The fact Good Wife might be the only real broadcast entry makes an outsider status with a chance to resonate while using bigger academy membership. A director and academy member described, In my opinion Im voting for your Good Wife, simply since it is not one of the stylish Selected Ones. Compared to that point, this is actually the main show among the nominees getting a retro believe recalls the glory occasions of network primetime. Also it features a cast thats no less than on componen with Mad Males, headed by nominee Julianna Margulies and fellow nominees Christine Baranski, Archie Panjabi, Alan Cumming and Josh Charles. Why It Cant Possibly Win: Margulies, along with her more subtle and nuanced performance, will not be everyones cup of java. That alone could kill any outdoors shot Good Wife might need to accomplish an upset. Also, the ultimate time a CBS series won the Emmy to get the best drama reaches 1994 for David E. Kelleys awesome Picket Fences. Thats 17 in the past. And so the network is either overdue or going to remain overlooked. Wager on Thrones (Cinemax) Bighead, Littlehead, 360 TV & Grok and Generator Prods w/ Cinemax Ing Why It Absolutely Was Nominated: The Cinemax newcomer fantasy surprised lots of people in the way it swelled its number of fans beyond the comic crowd since it moved through its first-year run, helping it to land an unpredicted 13 nominations. A producer mentioned in my opinion, What's kind of amazing relating to this total is always that only one of these simple (Peter Dinklage for supporting actor) was for undertaking. So its already built plenty of respect due to its technical work in the beginning. Why It Must Win: Were the impossible to happen and Wager on Thrones in some manner pressed from the heavy faves, got married suppose Matt Weiner may very well require electroshock therapy to restart his heart. It could happen. How? A producer theorizes: Its got the thrill opting for this, Ill explain how. People I'd not have access to apt to be totally hooked on it made a decision to get this to appointment viewing. Why It Cant Possibly Win: The shows graphic blood stream-and-guts as well as the written content itself are virtually sure to turn off a considerable contingent of voters for just about any show thats also still a tad too misguided. That could well change later on for co-showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who also clicked on up a writing jerk. A smaller amount shabby inside their first-time-around. Friday Evening Lights (DirecTV) Imagine Ing w/ Universal Media Art galleries & Film 44 Why It Absolutely Was Nominated: The departing, much beloved Texas secondary school football-designed drama snapped up its first and last Outstanding Drama Series nom the old-fashioned way: By producing it. Friday Evening Lights was recognized just like a rare — and tragically low-rated — broadcast jewel if the continued NBC. Now it produces the initial-ever major category nomination for DirecTV within the fifth and final season additionally to acting nods for leads Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler together with a writing one for Jason Katims. That it's been canceled helps to make the honors bittersweet, but sweet exactly the same. Why It Must Win: An unpredicted volume of veneration originates the shows way this year, plus a Peabody Award together with a trophy as Program of year within the Television Experts Association. A Few Things I sense, a collection author described, is always that people feel guilty Friday Evening Lights hasnt become its due, very much the same the Wire didnt. So theres a bit of trying to deal with that, In my opinion. Will that be adequate to produce an upset win? The present momentum swing — along with its swan-song status — states its potential. Why It Cant Possibly Win: However, its difficult to picture an issue where the TV academy bequeaths its finest series award with a series that closed out its work on DirecTV. In Emmy history, only Barney Burns in 1982 won a higher series Emmy for the only in time its final season. Its unlikely Lights will be the second due to the heft in the competition. Dexter (Showtime) John Goldwyn Prods, The Colleton Co. & Nick Johannessen Prods Why It Absolutely Was Nominated: It's the fourth consecutive year that Dexter remains honored in this category, the first time thats happened with an original Showtime series. The academy appears to become sucker for your shows serial-killer-with-a-heart-of-gold narrative, too for star Michael C. Hall. Enough to appoint them each year, anyway. Why It Must Win: Enables say someone jeopardized laptop computer program that tallies individuals who win and transformed the final results so Dexter showed up in this area on top. Reasonably, thats possibly the shows best chance this year. This is actually the finest upset in Emmy history. Why It Cant Possibly Win: Dexter is clearly respected enough to produce nominations but has been around too extended to manage just like a serious competitor. It comes down lower from something from the transitional year undertaking a fourth season of great suspense together with a towering recurring role by John Lithgow. Nothing similar happened in Season 5, which can be one reason showrunner Nick Johannessen was transformed for Season 6 by Scott Buck.