Marvel cuts marketing positions

With Marvel Studios' future slate of superhero titles now unspooling through Disney, the comicbook company has eliminated several key marketing roles. Among them, Dana Precious, executive VP of worldwide marketing, Jeffrey Stewart, VP of worldwide marketing and Jodi Miller, manager of worldwide marketing, will soon ankle their posts. The jobs had been key for Marvel in the past, given that the company needed execs to help shepherd campaigns for its pics that were being distributed by Paramount. But this summer's "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger" were the last to be released through Paramount's distribution deal. Disney's marketing department will handle Marvel's projects moving forward, starting with next summer's "The Avengers." They will work closely with Marvel chief Kevin Feige. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Kim Kardshian & Kris Humphries Take Flight For European Honeymoon

FIRST PUBLISHED: August 22, 2011 7:36 PM EDT LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Despite reports that their busy schedules would keep the couple from getting away for several months, it appears newlyweds Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries have found the time to embark on a honeymoon. Paparazzi captured the pair as they headed through Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, two days after they tied the knot in front of more than 400 friends and family in Montecito, Calif. People reported Kim and Kris were bound for Europe, but their exact destination was unknown. The couples honeymoon is expected to be brief as Kim has her second season of Kim & Kourtney Take New York to film for E! starting next week, People reported. Kim noted on Twitter that she actually has a big party to look forward to in New York City in the coming days, but it wont be a second wedding. There are rumors of a 2nd wedding in NY. This is NOT true!! Our friends Jason Binn & Colin Cowie are throwing us a welcome to NY party! she Tweeted on Monday. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

In Honor of Her Birthday, Let's Discuss Kristen Wiig's Most Underrated Role

The glamorously screwball Kristen Wiig, who celebrates her 38th birthday today, is now a burgeoning screen star who is successfully elevating the zany and/or downtrodden aspects of her SNL characters into full-fledged performances. What’s her most underrated moment on the screen so far? Plenty of Wiig’s pre-Bridesmaids roles qualify as fun, quiet performances, but I have a special affinity for her work in Adventureland because I have a special affinity for that movie. Not only are its two stars Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart fantastic, but everyone from Ryan Reynolds to Wendie Malick give sweet, believable performances. As Bill Hader’s meekly wacky wife Paulette, Wiig distills the unfiltered essence of her Knocked Up role into a distinctly small-town mold. Just lovely, especially when she offset’s Hader’s more traditional SNL hysteria. What’s your choice?

Jennifer Love Hewitt Declines Relationship Using The Bacherlorettes Ben Flajnick

La, Calif. -- Jennifer Love Hewitt triggered a significant stir on Twitter recently when she authored, Watching The Bachelorette! I really like u Ben!! Take this rose I've for u! Choose me!!!!:). However, the first kind Ghost Whisperer star states she didnt mean anything by her passionate Tweet, which ensuing gossips of the romance using the Bachelorette cast-off are simply that gossips. I had been searching for something popular culture to kind of tweet about Im a new comer to the Twitter situation. I needed to enjoy the tweeters available on the planet, Jennifer told Ryan Seacrest within an interview on his KIIS Radio show on Wednesday, when requested if she and Ben Flajnik are dating. So, I sent funny tweets about Ben F., after which it got all kind of like, blown from proportion or whatever, and today its like the rumor mill is crazy. I've absolutely nothing to say except Im totally single, she ongoing. I have no idea why individuals are making this type of large deal. You realize, it had been timely. Despite her denial, Jennifer was lately spotted in Bay Area with Ben themself, however the actress lined their meeting as much as chance. We did meet, but totally by coincidence, she told Ryan. Have you write out with him? Ellen K, Ryans radio co-host, requested the actress. Gossips are gossips, Jennifer clarified having a laugh, staying away from the question. One question Jennifer didnt hesitate to reply to was whether producers have requested her to become the following Bachelorette. No, they didnt, she stated. As formerly reported on AccessHollywood.com, Jennifer split from actor/director Alex Beh in May. Reviews of the romance first appeared in This summer 2010. Past beaus of J.Loves include Jamie Kennedy, Carson Daly, John Mayer, John Asher and Ross McCall, to whom she was engaged. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Poch pockets three pix

BARCELONA -- New Barcelona-based distribution house Paco Poch Cinema has closed The spanish language privileges to Bela Tarr's Berlin Jury Grand Prix champion ''The Turin Equine,'' Mia Hansen-Love's ''Goodbye First Love'' and Andreas Dresen's ''Stopped on the right track.''''Love'' received a unique mention in the Locarno fest a few days ago ''Track'' shared Cannes' Not Certain Regard Prize this might.Paco Poch -- whose production credits include Pedro Almodovar's 1979 debut ''Pepi, Luci, Bom y otras chicas del monton'' and Jose Luis Guerin's ''Innisfree'' -- has acquired The spanish language privileges to Pedro Costa's ''Ne change rien,'' Hansen-Love's ''Father of My Children'' and Lluis Galter's Venice Horizons title ''Caracremada,'' that they also created.The transfer to distribution arrives of frustration at the inability to co-produce such game titles as ''Rien'' and ''Horse,'' Poch told Variety. Poch's next release, bowing early September, is going to be Anne Linsel's docu ''Dancing Dreams,'' about teens in Germany's Wuppertal being trained by choreographer Pina Bausch.On ''Dreams,'' Poch partners with The spanish language production-distribution house Avalon to produce the pic.''Horse'' opens in The country this fall after screening from competish at October's Sitges Festival.Poch intends to attend the Berlin, Cannes, Locarno, Karlovy Vary and Rotterdam's marketplaces, and also to release about 2 to 5 films annually, all subtitled -- an progressively rare phenom in The country.''I'm basically a producer however i cannot accept there is no place looking for auteur and problem films,'' Poch stated.Future Poch Cinema releases include Ounie Lecomte's ''A Completely New Life'' and Goran Olsson's ''The Black Energy Mixtape 1967-1975.'' ''Life'' is going to be launched with Luis Angel Bellaba's Aquelarre Films.Exercising of Mallerich Films, that they founded in 1994, Poch's is creating ''Genet en el Raval,'' with different book by The spanish language author Juan Goytisolo on Jean Genet's existence in Barcelona.(Emiliano p Pablos led for this report.) Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

New media can't yet carry the day

For all the brave talk about saving money by emphasizing low-cost digital media, online is still a long way from being able to take the lead in launching wide-release movies.A common tactic is to use traditional media to drive audiences to online media, such as TV commercials or magazine ads offering a website address that directs viewers to an online movie trailer. It's a case of "off-line" media driving moviegoer traffic to websites loaded with content designed go be seductive and immersive.Still, film marketing campaigns spend anywhere from 5% to 20% of their budgets on digital media -- mainly online -- according to various sources. The actual percentage depends on whether or not the target audiences are big users of new media.For a horror film aimed at the tech-savvy youth demographic, 10% to 20% of the movie's marketing might be allocated to digital. However, a romantic comedy appealing to women 40-plus, who as a group aren't known to be digital divas, will spend far less, perhaps 5%.New media is slippery to quantify on a dollar basis, because film marketers treat it as three separate pieces: "Paid" media for purchased placements of display ads, promoted Tweets and Web pages that get peppered with movie messages; "Earned" media, such as publicity with film trailers placed free as editorial, and social media messages that are not paid; and "Owned" media, which utilizes pre-existing audience connections such as studio-assembled email mailing lists, Facebook friends and Twitter followers."The landscape has shifted in the past three years to a broader digital marketing strategy," says Gordon Paddison, CEO of Stradella Road, a Los Angeles-based marketing consultancy. "Paid media budgets compete with social initiatives, apps and organic search that drive more consumer engagement."Official film websites have diminished in importance. The 1999 sensation caused by the mysterious episodic footage of "The Blair Witch Project" has never been duplicated, and these days film marketers opt to place their juiciest movie content on third-party platforms that already have big Web traffic. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Hathaway As Catwoman: Kate Middleton Is My Style Icon

La, Calif. -- Hathaway As Catwoman once performed a princess about the giant screen, but she provides extensive popularity of a duchess Duchess of Cambridge Kate who she credits for getting ladylike style back to fashion. Can I say to you how grateful I'm to Kate Middleton? Anne told USA Today. Because she's this kind of advocate for dressing just like a lady. Anne credits Kate for cleaning the stylebook in Hollywood. I believe for any couple of years that type of slightly dirty look was utilized by Hollywood - you realize, the stringy hair, destitute factor. And That I really attempted, Anne chuckled. I had been like, OK, Im likely to give that the go. [But] it does not suit me, I dont suit it. I usually looked type of chubby. Kate continues to be recognized within the fashion press for returning tights she frequently skips the bare-legged look and she or he is constantly on the influence Anne with every single change. At this time my fashion options are only for Kate Middleton, Anne stated. Anne really plays a Brit in a single Day, her new indie drama opposite Jim Sturgess. The film arrives on August 19. Spend follow that up within an outfit Kate is not likely to put on skin-tight leather as Catwoman within the new Batman film The Dark Dark night Increases, that will hit theaters on May 2, 2011. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Mega Buzz: A Cuddy Return on House? Plus: Glee Lovers and a CSI Exit

Lisa Edeslstein, Lea Michele, Marg Helgenberger Every week, editors Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questionsto mega_scoop@tvguide.com.How will House deal with Cuddy's absence? Is there any chance Lisa Edelstein will come back to shoot a proper ending for her character? - BethADAM: Though the show's one-year time jump will skip Cuddy's exit from Princeton-Plainsboro, creator David Shore says the show won't overlook it altogether. "There's going to be an acknowledgement, but it's not going to be a big story about her because unfortunately we don't have [Lisa]," he says. Does Shore think he will ever get to write Cuddy a proper send-off? "Down the road, that might be more appropriate. It didn't seem right now," he says. "Given that she was gone, we decided it was better to not just have her come back to leave again."Will Finn and Rachel be happy when Glee returns? - Joshua NATALIE: Yes! "You pick up with them as a couple," Lea Michele tells us. "I have a feeling that they're just going to be settled this year. They did talk a lot about Rachel in the final episode of last season, of her wanting to go to New York and not knowing where he's going to go, so I think that's going to be a lot of the issues between them this year, and not so much of the Rachel/Puck and Finn/Quinn stuff." Gearing up for a possible career on New York City's Great White Way, Rachel will join the school musical this season.I know people are excited about Ted Danson joining CSI, but nobody's talking about Marg Helgenberger's exit. What do you know? - TammyADAM: Executive producers Carol Mendelsohn and Don McGill tell us that, although they're still hoping that Helgenberger will stay, they have been working on her character's swan song since the end of last season. "The final case that Catherine will be involved in will actually put her and her family and the people that she cares about in jeopardy," Mendelsohn says. "Catherine won't just take it lying down, for sure. She'll take matters into her own hands and get to the truth. It will be Catherine, action hero."Since the Grey's Anatomy residents are now taking on solo surgeries, how will Alex handle that? - Pearl NATALIE: Alex was never great with solo surgeries (see: the elevator power outage of Season 2), but his status as a social pariah may actually work in his favor. "I think he's going to apply himself a lot more this year because he's not going to have a personal life," Justin Chambers says. "He's done with the relationship thing for a while, with what happened with Lucy. No one wants to talk to him because he's a rat, so he's going to concentrate on being a better doctor."Got any good scoop about Ziva on NCIS? - RodneyADAM: Cote de Pablo tells us that she wants to move away from the stories about Ziva's father and introduce some motherly love to her backstory. Executive producer Gary Glasberg does too. "Ziva will be dealing with a Middle Eastern family and the matriarch of the family connects with her in a really interesting, personal way," Glasberg says. "Sounds like Ziva will need the support based on Glasberg's other plans. "Someone from her past who we haven't met before is coming forward," he says. "[In addition,] Ray will probably come back halfway through the season, and they will intersect."Thanks for the scoop on How I Met Your Mother. Got anything more on Barney and Robin? - Harold NATALIE: If you liked this, then you'll really love the Barney and Robin dance number! "The premiere is very much about Barney possibly pursuing Nora and Robin wondering how to deal with these feelings she has that are resurfacing for him," executive producer Craig Thomas tells us. "Ultimately, it explodes into this dance number at [Punchy's] wedding that clears the entire dance floor, and they have this big, epic Dancing with the Stars kind of moment, that we're hoping America will want to watch more than DWTS and tune into our show instead." Count us in!What's the latest on Sweets and Daisy on Bones? - MeganADAM: "Daisy is definitely a part of Sweets' life," John Francis Daley tells us, and we can confirm Daisy will appear early in Season 7. But Sweets may have bigger fish to fry. "He is more active in the investigations because Brennan is slightly less able to go on the scene and get herself into dangerous situations," Daley says. "So, you're going to see more of Booth and Sweets working together as FBI agents." Even better, creator Hart Hanson tells me that for the first time ever, Sweets will be packing heat! [Cue the Aerosmith song.]How is Fringe going to handle Peter never existing? - Amanda NATALIE: Au contraire, Amanda! Peter did exist, according to the man who plays his father, John Noble. He says the final scene of the season finale, in which the Observers appear to negate Peter's existence "was a slight teaser in the wrong direction, because Peter did exist, but Peter died as a child; both Peters died as a child." As a result, the Season 4 premiere might remind you of It's a Wonderful Life, as we'll find Walter in a familiar predicament. "When we meet him in Season 4, he's still insane, locked into the lab with guards, and mad because he's never had Peter to bring him out of it," Noble says. "He won't have had that motivation to repair himself, so he's quite mad and neurotic and obsessive-compulsive. He's agoraphobic, so he won't go out of the lab."I'm really hoping you have some NCIS: Los Angeles scoop? - ThomasADAM: How's this? In an early Season 3 episode, all the agents will be forced to swap partners! "Hunter puts us in this situation... and it screws up the whole dynamic," Eric Christian Olsen tells us of the super-covert mission. "Deeks ends up with Sam... and [he's] really trying to jostle for position, because Sam's the man. He's the Navy Seal, but Deeks is like, 'No, I got this!'" Anyone care to take a guess who wins that battle?Will Damon and Elena go on the hunt to find Stefan on Vampire Diaries? -Sarah NATALIE: They will both attempt to find him, but one is certainly trying harder than the other. "Damon loves his brother, he can't deny that anymore, but at the same time, his relationship is building with Elena in a very nice way, so that maybe he's not trying as hard as he should to find Stefan," executive producer Kevin Williamson tells us, adding that Damon will feel guilt over that. As for Stefan, the ripper lifestyle will lend for some serious life contemplation on his part. "Will he ever be able to come back and how will Stefan and Elena save him if they do? It's really going to be about the journey for Stefan: What's Klaus up to? What's Klaus' use for him? It twists and turns in a bunch of different ways that are surprising."What can you tell me about Jax and Tara in the new season of Sons of Anarchy? - DanielleADAM: The couple seems happier than ever when reunited after Jax's 14-month prison stay. Perhaps that's why Jax feels the need to make Tara a promise that we're almost certain he'll be unable to keep.The fall TV scoop is great! But what's this about Modern Family going to a dude ranch? - TimNATALIE: It's another family vacation... and another family competition! Phil tries to one-up Jay in the quest to be the best darned cowboy in the whole Pritchett-Dunphy clan. To ensure victory, Phil practices before they leave for vacation. Can we all just hope his practice outfit includes chaps?Natalie's Mega Rave: After Tara's girlfriend left Bon Temps, we thought True Blood's resident weepy victim would regress into her default behavior: self-sabotage. Instead, she joins forces with the witches to take down the vampires. While we love the vampires, a vengeful Tara is good television.Adam's Mini Rant: FX president John Landgraf recently told critics that if he hadn't canceled Terriers and Lights Out, he wouldn't have been able to make American Horror Story. I think he made a bad trade.Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows?E-mail Adam and Natalie at mega_scoop@tvguide.comor drop us a line atTwitter.com/TVGuide

'Hangover' Authors Missing Threequel, Thinking of getting 4th And Fifth Films?!

Regardless of the box office-melting success of "The Hangover" and "The Hangover Part II" the initial film's authors, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, is going to be sitting the third installment. "I believe we are likely to be active in the 4th and also the fifth [films]," Moore joked to MTV News in the premiere of the latest raunchy comedy, "The Modification-Up." "But we are likely to sit the 3rd out." "We would like it to reach 'Police Academy' levels," Lucas added. "Like 'The Hangover: Operation Miami Beach,' " he stated having a smile. "If Bubba Cruz might be inside it, that would be amazing.Inch (Lucas, it ought to be noted, wasn't making light from the lately deceased. We spoke using the authors before Cruz, who performed gentle giant Moses Hightower within the "Police Academy" films, died a week ago at age 66). The effective screenwriting duo has made the decision to head to new filmmaking territory by turning their talents toward the director's chair. "We are pointing the very first time,Inch Lucas revealed. "It is extremely exciting. We are co-pointing, so that's great, nothing will go wrong there," he joked. "It causes it to be better, it's two times as funny. It's known as '21 And Over' and it is going to emerge next springbreak." "We are broadening our material, it is a college-consuming movie rather than a grownup-consuming movie," Moore described, adding their primary figures (performed by the kind of Sarah Wright and Jonathan Keltz) are mere hrs into being of legal-consuming age. Also, the cast is going to be equal parts men and women. "We now have everything,Inch Moore stated. "Something for everybody." "We all do write lots of dudes," Lucas added. "But we are both married, we all know women, we have met them, we have just met you, you are the 3rd lady we have met, we actually like them." Exactly what do you think about Lucas and Moore pointing? Inform us within the comments or on Twitter!

'Police Academy' star Bubba Cruz dies

Bubba Cruz, an exciting-Professional defensive finish who performed the majority of his nine-year National football league career using the Baltimore Colts, winning an excellent Bowl championship together before switching jobs being an actress, most particularly like a mainstay from the "Police Academy" film comedies, was discovered accurate Wednesday at his home in La. He was 66. The reason for dying was unknown, but natural causes are suspected.After retiring from professional football in 1976, Cruz started work in TV, including like a pitchman for Burns Lite in a number of noted advertisements, and then film. He guested on "The Brand New Adventures of Question Lady," "Charlie's Angels" and "The Whitened Shadow," and that he were built with a recurring role on CBS sitcom "Good Occasions."He would be a series regular on three brief ABC series: 1980's "Semi-Tough," an adaptation from the film sitcom "Open Through The Night" almost 30 years ago-82 as well as an adaptation of action film "Blue Thunder" back in 1984. On NBC, he starred with Dick Butkus within the brief comedy "Half Nelson" in 1985.Throughout the eighties, the "Police Academy" films, by which he described the strong but soft-spoken Moses Hightower, provided Cruz with steadier employment. Cruz ongoing guesting on television series throughout the the nineteen nineties and made an appearance inside a couple of films throughout the 2000s: "Lower 'n Dirty," "The Coach,""Full Clip" and 2010's "Bloodstream River."Born in Beaumont, Texas, Charles Aaron Cruz would be a three-time NCAA All-American at Michigan Condition (he was awarded with a Nfl And College Football Hall of Fame in 1988), and that he was selected through the Baltimore Colts because the No. 1 pick within the NFL's 1967 college draft. He also performed appropriately for that Concord Raiders and Houston Oilers. Contact Carmel Dagan at carmel.dagan@variety.com