Exclusive John Carter Footage Unveiled

The Big Screen crew gets all the fun.... During Disney's outstanding showcase at this year's Empire Presents.... Big Screen, there were a couple of serious gems. One of these gems came all the way from Mars, thanks to a man by the name of John Carter. Previously only shown to a select group of super-special journalists (ourselves included, natch), the lucky men and women of the IndigO2 were blessed with a number of scenes from the upcoming sci-fi adventure based on A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Feeling very western indeed, a key scene saw Taylor Kitsch's John Carter, having just arrived on the Red Planet, negociating with soon-to-be-best-buddy Tars Tarkas - who's a 12-foot tall, 4-armed green barbarian from space, by the way - in English, whereas Tars is chatting away in good ol' Martian. Then, during this Lost-In-Space-In-Translation moment, John leaps that massive leap of his and suddenly he's hurtling through the air and into the line of fire of hundreds of much less friendly green men. Shot rings out, and it fades to black. Looking at the first clip, what we can say is that rhe Martian language feels real - for the lack of a better word - and the four arms looks natural, with each pair of arms on each side basically following each other wherever they can. Oh, and the jumping is a beautiful thing to behold. Cut to a gladatorial scene, where John and Tars - now speaking English, which is handy - are defending themselves against a massive, four-armed Yeti-like creature. Sure, they call it a White Ape! , but by us it looks like one hell of an Abominable Snowman. In Mars. Hmm. Maybe not. John then leaps about more and more, with slow-motion jumping somehow becoming a thing we want to do ourselves, really, really soon. Plus, he's doing it all with a chain attached to his leg, which we reckon might be how he's going to fell the beastie in the film. Just a guess there, mind, but we reckon it's a good one.... For more info on John Carter, you'd be best off going to your local newsagents and grabbing ahold of our new issue of Empire, or failing that, checking out the Peter Gabriel-themed trailer here.... John Carter will be out in cinemas March 9, 2012.

TNT renews 'Leverage'

TNT drama "Leverage" continues to be restored for any fifth season through the cabler, with 15 episodes to air next summer time. Starring Timothy Hutton, "Leverage" has enhanced in audiences in all of its first four seasons and today earnings 4.8 million (1.9 million in grown ups 18-49). Overall viewership has enhanced 10% in comparison to season three. "Although shows decline within their second, third or 4th seasons, 'Leverage' has defied the chances and ongoing to climb," stated TNT, The best spinner's and TCM programming chief Michael Wright. The 4th season of "Leverage" requires a break following the August. 28 airing, then resumes in November. TNT restored freshmen "Falling Skies" and "Franklin & Party" in This summer and sophomore "Rizzoli & Isles" in August, but canceled second-year series "Males of the Certain Age." The network can also be planning to avoid retiring drama "The Closer." Dean Devlin (Electric Entertainment), John Rogers and Chris Downey professional produce "Leverage." Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Comedy Central gels with Jeselnik

JeselnikComedy Central has signed comedian Anthony Jeselnik to a development deal that includes a project that will move into production in early 2012.Jeselnik, a 2008 Variety 10 Comics to Watch honoree, will star in the untitled project and exec produce with Christie Smith."We are trying to reconcile how someone with such a dark world view can also be such a nice guy," Comedy Central original programming and development head Kent Alterman said. "We figured the best way to find out would be to develop a show with him."Halfhour special "Comedy Central Presents Anthony Jeselnik" is one of several times the cabler has featured the comedian, who also appeared on the Donald Trump roast and was a among 2009's "Hottest Comedians of the Year" as chosen by the network. Punchline Magazine named his first comedy album, "Shakespeare," the best of 2010. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

CBS Twitches Nose, Orders 'Bewitched' Script

Redmond ONeal Charged With Heroin Possession

FIRST PUBLISHED: August 4, 2011 3:19 PM EDT LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Prosecutors have charged the son of the late Farrah Fawcett and Ryan ONeal with felony heroin possession two days after his arrest during a traffic stop. Redmond ONeal is expected to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom Thursday. He was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The 26-year-old was arrested Tuesday morning after he allegedly failed to stop for a red light in Santa Monica and officers found heroin in the vehicle. He has a string of drug-related arrests and is on probation from a previous case. ONeal has been jailed without bail since Tuesday. A criminal complaint did not list any additional details about the alleged offenses. Copyright 2011 by Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

'The X Factor' Champion and Runners up to become Handled by Front Line (Exclusive)

Irving Azoff's Front Line Management will manage those who win and runners up from the X Factor U.S., The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The partnership between Front Line, a division of Live Nation Entertainment, and Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment is going to be introduced on Thursday.our editor recommends'The X Factor' Takes Are designed for 'American Idol' in First Promo'X Factor' Brutality at Auditions: 'L.A.' Reid Meaner Than Simon Cowell Audience Advised To not Boo'American Idol' Creator Sues Fox For Millions in 'X Factor' Money (Exclusive) Front Line, which Azoff founded within the 70s and Ticket Master acquired in 2008, handles a previously impressive artist roster which includes The Eagles, Miley Cyrus, Journey, New Kids on the market, Christina Aguilera and Fleetwood Mac. The firm's managers are required to operate carefully with X Factor idol judges and producers because the competition progresses. States Cowell inside a statement: "I am really pleased to work with Irving and the team. It really is essential that the participants have first class representation, and Irving brings that." Adds Azoff, chairman and Boss of Front Line Management Group, who'll have the choice to handle any X Factor runners up, solo artists and groups: "I am proud to become associated with Simon Cowell and X Factor. The Leading Line team is excited to mentor this next generation of celebrities." The X Factor premieres on Fox on September 21. The champion will get a $5 million recording contract with Syco/The new sony Music Entertainment, the biggest prize in television history. Related Subjects Simon Cowell Irving Azoff The X Factor