'Book of Mormon' recoups

Hallelujah -- Broadway tuner "It of Mormon" has retrieved its capital costs.Show's quick journey to the black isn't a surprise due to the stellar grosses the musical has consistently drenched since it opened up up in March. Legit outing from "South Park" designers Trey Parker and Matt Stone and "Avenue Q" composer Robert Lopez grew to become one the Street's most widely used tickets, regularly commanding an average ticket cost around $150.The other day, throughout our prime-demand Thanksgiving frame, "Mormon" drenched $1,677,963 for nine perfs, verifying an impressive $170 average per-ducat cost. Throughout the time is right round the Rialto, show has drenched a cume more than $45 million.Producers won't browse the Broadway capital cost from the musical, but it's generally thought "Mormon" considered in around $8 million or $9 million.Musical's sales are powered not only through the worldwide recognition of Parker and Stone's "South Park," the Comedy Central skein that's gathered a massive fanbase over 15 seasons, but furthermore with the passionate response in the legit world. Tuner won critical raves if the opened up up after which it in June needed home nine Tonys, like the new musical laurel, the primary one theater kudo generally thought to experience a real impact on box office.Production also benefits of how large its venue, the Eugene O'Neill Theater, which at 1,066 seats is substantially smaller sized than most tuner houses round the Primary Stem. The theater's limited ticket inventory, combined wealthy in consumer demand, have driven up ticket prices: Top non-premium ducat costs $153, because the top premium cost is $475.Andrew Rannells, Josh Gad and Nikki M. James lead the cast of "Mormon," about some Latter Day Saints sent around the pursuit to Uganda. Show is co-helmed by Parker and Casey Nicholaw, who also choreographed.Anne Garefino and Scott Rudin lead a team of producers including Roger Berlind, Scott M. Delman, Jean Doumanian, Roy Furman, Important Musicals, Stephanie P. McClelland, Kevin Morris, Jon B. Platt, Sonia Friedman Prods. and Stuart Thompson. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Box Office Report: 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn' and 'Muppets' Rule Thanksgiving

Summit Entertainment's The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn--Part 1 topped the Thanksgiving eve box office with $12.5 million, while Disney's new family film The Muppets came in No. 2 with $6.6 million million.our editor recommendsBox Office Preview: 'The Muppets' Likely to Win Thanksgiving Family FeudFamily Feud: November's Biggest Box Office Battles, Weekend-by-Weekend New Movie Reviews: 'Hugo,' 'The Muppets,' 'My Week With Marilyn' Hitting TheatersMartin Scorsese Talks 'Hugo,' Recurring Nightmares and How His 12-Year-Old Rules the RoostRelated Topics•Twilight Wednesday's grosses suggest that Breaking Dawn -- with a domestic gross of $171.5 million -- will land in the high $50 million range for the five-day holiday stretch. In a victory for Disney, The Muppets has a strong shot at hitting $40 million for the five days. Starring Jason Segel and Amy Adams opposite the iconic puppets, the family film cost a modest $45 million to produce and is designed to introduce a new generation to the brand. PHOTOS: 'The Muppets' Red Carpet Arrivals Warner Bros. holdover Happy Feet Two bested Sony and Aardman's new family film Arthur Christmas, grossing $2.9 million, compared to $2.4 million for Arthur. Sony believes that Arthur, costing $85 million to produce, will have especially strong legs, even if it starts slow. Happy Feet Two should hit $20 million for the five days; Arthur is hoping for the same. Muppets earned a stellar A CinemaScore, while Arthur earned an A-. PHOTOS: 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn' Black Carpet Arrivals Martin Scorsese's critically acclaimed new 3D film Hugo came in No. 8 on Wednesday after opening on 1,277 theaters, only a third of the location count of Muppets and Arthur Christmas. Projections show the film grossing $12.5 million for the five days, in line with expectations. Paramount, which is distributing Hugo, believes the film will play older than traditional family films, as well as to more sophisticated audiences. By opening on a smaller number of screens, Paramount is looking to build word-of-mouth heading into the heart of awards season. Hugo, Muppets and Arthur Christmas have all received great reviews. Alexander Payne's The Descendants, starring George Clooney, expanded nicely, grossing $985,000 on Wednesday as it moved into a total of 390 theaters across the country. The film came in No. 10, and its domestic cume is now $2.5 million. Michelle Williams specialty film My Week with Marilyn opened Wednesday in 123 theaters, grossing $155,000 for a location average of $1,256. The Weinstein Co. is distributing the film. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Red Carpet's Top 10: Twilight: Breaking Dawn Premiere Related Topics Box Office Happy Feet 2 The Muppets

New eBay App Reminds You What's Important in Movies

“Starting today, the company will offer the features as part of its iPad application, letting users browse merchandise from shows and movies. [… Steve] Yankovich, 50, was inspired to develop the technology while watching the movie Something’s Gotta Give, which featured a toaster he wanted. ‘You’ll be able to buy exactly what’s there,’ said Yankovich, who runs mobile services at the San Jose, California-based company.” [Bloomberg]

Cameron Crowe Once Fired Ashton Kutcher Was Planning Marvin Gaye Biopic With Will Cruz

The ultimate time Cameron Crowe directed a movie, it absolutely was 2005's 'Elizabethtown,' a bust that was panned by experts and audiences with equal fervor. Would all things have been different if was the star instead of Orlando Blossom? Not likely, but that didn't stop Crowe from first relationship the '70's Show' star for your role, only to fire him later on. In this week's problem in the Hollywood Reporter, the director recognized to being frustrated with Kutcher after casting him, eventually altering him with someone else. When he cast in Elizabethtown. Kutcher wound up being still part of 'That 70's Show,' and Crowe told him he required to reserve a few days to target only round the film. But sources connected using the project say Kutcher didn't heed Crowe's words. Although he guaranteed he'd deliver when the cameras were moving, Crowe lost belief... "I'll spend several days coping with an actress, but I spent four several days with Ashton," Crowe states. "Inside a certain point, it's like, 'This is not supposed to have been.AInch Oof, poor Ashton isn't getting the most effective week, is he? Crowe also spoke to THR about his approaching film, 'We Bought a Zoo,' and the way he wooed -- and, unlike Kutcher, associated with -- Matt Damon for your lead. It started when Crowe first visited the audience of 'True Grit,' where he gave Damon a mixture Compact disk (clearly) together with a duplicate in the 1983 movie 'Local Hero,' that have a plot similar to 'Zoo.' Damon was reluctant about signing onto a film that could really are a Disney version in the book it required it's origin from (put together by Benjamin Mee), but Crowe didn't desire to make a project such as this either. In line with the actor, "Crowe mentioned: 'I know very well what you'll probably panic of unhealthy version from the movie could be a movie you will not wish to maintain. That's things i am frightened of too." Then, after hearing Crowe's mix Compact disk, Damon eventually stood a change of heart. Read a little more about your building of 'We Bought a Zoo,' a track-by-track set of the Compact disk Crowe gave Damon as well as the canned Marvin Gaye biopic starring Will Cruz (unsure points to consider that) the director tried to create, over on THR. 'We Bought a Zoo' hits theaters on December 23, 2011. [via THR] [Photo: WireImage] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

BBC, Cinemax Team for 'Wolf Hall' Miniseries

LONDON - Cinemax and also the BBC are joining up for any miniseries adaptation of Wolf Hall, the Booker Prize-winning historic novel by British author Hilary Mantel.our editor recommendsBBC Cuts Annual Budget by $1 Billion, Slashes 2,000 JobsNew Madoff Biography Optioned for Cinemax Movie (Exclusive) The drama has been produced by Company Pictures - creator of Shameless and Mansfield Park- and Playground Entertainment, headed by Colin Callender. It will likely be modified for that screen by Peter Straughan, who done the large-screen adaptation of John Le Carre'sTinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The storyline charts the go up and down of Thomas Cromwell, a blacksmith's boy who become probably the most effective males in 16th Century England, eventually orchestrating Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon. To date the miniseries will just target the occasions included in Wolf Hall, but historian and author Mantel stated lately that they was focusing on a trilogy. Mention The Physiques may be the second within the series and it is likely to be released next May. It'll continue the storyline of Cromwell and target the fall of Anne Boleyn. Another instalment, The Mirror And Also The Lightis likely to follow, covering Cromwell's eventual downfall and execution. Related Subjects Worldwide Cinemax Films & Miniseries BBC

Thesps join 'Jimmy' cast

Patrick Fabian ("Large Love"), Kelly Carlson ("Puppy nip/Tuck"), Ian Colletti, Ted Levine, Bob Gunton ("The Lincoln subsequently Lawyer"), Greg Alan Williams, Chuck Carrington and Burgess Jenkins have became a member of the cast of indie fantasy-drama "Jimmy."Pic, presently lensing in New York, is dependant on the Robert Whitlow novel of the identical title and focuses on a psychologically challenged teen (Colletti) who interacts with supernatural creatures.Gary Wheeler is creating Mark Freiburger's pointing. The happy couple also co-authored the script with Whitlow.Freiburger and Wheeler worked with with an adaptation of Whitlow's novel "The Trial," with Wheeler pointing Matthew Modine, Bob Gunton and Robert Forster. Freiburger formerly helmed the "Dog Times of Summer time" with Will Patton.Freiburger and Wheeler are repped by Gotham Group. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Falcom nabs 'Geronimo,' '21 and Over'

BERLIN -- Berlin-based Falcom Media has picked up the rights to two U.S. films, John Stockwell's actioner about Osama Bin Laden's killing, and the "Hangover"-style comedy "21 and Over." Stockwell ("Into the Blue") is working on "Code Name: Geronimo -- Killing Bin Laden." Voltage Pictures is producing the film, which tells the story of how the most wanted man was hunted down and killed. Geronimo was the code name for the operation that sent two teams of Navy Seals into Pakistan to hunt and kill Osama bin Laden. The film is expected to be finished in 2012. Written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the authors of the first "Hangover" film, "21 and Over" features Miles Teller ("Footloose"), Skylar Astin ("Taking Woodstock") and Justin Chon ("The Twilight Saga"). The FilmNation and Relativity Media title, which centers on a promising medical student on the eve of an important exam who goes out with two buddies to celebrate his 21st birthday, will be released next year. Falcom Media, headed by Andreas Fallscheer, plans to release both films in German-speaking territories in 2012. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Join An L.A. Evening With... 'Take Shelter'

Back Stage presents a totally free screening of "Take Shelter," then a Q&A using the film's star, Michael Shannon. The big event is going to be Saturday, November twelfth at 11 a.m. in the Off-shore Design Center, Big Screen Theatre, 8687 Melrose Ave. West Hollywood, CA.To RSVP, email EveningWith@backstage.com with "Take Shelter" within the subject header. Indicate should you intend on getting a guest. Parking is going to be validated.Michael Shannon recieved an Oscar nomination for his operate in the film "Revolutionary Road." He presently stars on "Boardwalk Empire" as Prohobition agent Nelson Van Alden.Concerning the film:Affected by a number of apocalyptic visions, a youthful husband and father questions whether or not to shelter his family from the coming storm, or from themself.Curtis LaForche lives in a tiny Ohio town together with his wife Samantha and six-year-old daughter Hannah, who's hard of hearing. Curtis constitutes a modest living like a crew chief for any sand-mining company. Samantha is really a stay-at-home mother and part-time dressmaker who supplements their earnings by selling hand crafted wares in the flea market each weekend. Cash is tight, and moving Hannah's health care and special needs education is really a constant struggle. Despite the fact that, Curtis and Samantha are greatly for each other as well as their household is a contented one.Then Curtis starts getting terrifying desires an encroaching, apocalyptic storm. He selects to help keep the disturbance to themself, directing his anxiety in to the obsessive building of the storm shelter within their backyard. His apparently inexplicable behavior concerns and confounds Samantha, and brings about intolerance among co-employees, buddies and neighbors. However the resulting stress on his marriage and tension inside the community does not rival Curtis' private anxiety about what his dreams may truly signify.Confronted with the proposition that his disturbing visions signal disaster of 1 kind or any other, Curtis confides in Samantha, testing the energy of the bond from the greatest possible stakes.

Zsa Zsa Gabor Rushed To Hospital Again

First Published: November 9, 2011 5:32 PM EST Credit: WireImage LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Despite slowing down her career, Zsa Zsa Gabor remained a red carpet mainstay throughout the 80s and early 90s. Here, she attends the First Annual St. Patricks Day Parade Brunch in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 17, 1985Zsa Zsa Gabor has been rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after another health scare. Publicist John Blanchette says the 94-year-old actress was taken by ambulance to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on Wednesday after her feeding tube became loose. Blanchette says Gabors husband Frederic von Anhalt noticed bleeding in her stomach where the tube came unattached. Gabor has been hospitalized repeatedly since falling out of bed and breaking her hip in July 2010. She had a leg amputated in January. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Yahoo, America online, Microsoft Strike Advertising On The Internet Partnership

Yahoo, America on the internet and Microsoft are joining around streamline the whole process of buying and selling Internet banner ad campaigns inside the U.S., the companies mentioned Tuesday.our editor recommendsGoogle Shares Soar as Earnings Blow Past Estimations The sale should enable the three to compete better against behemoth Google additionally to numerous ad systems by enabling all the partners to promote each other's premium, non-reserved inventory for his or her advertising clients. STORY: Google Shares Soar as Earnings Blow Past Estimations Beneath the the non-eclusive contracts, each company makes its own options about its advertising business as well as the three will still compete against each other for ad dollars, the parties mentioned Tuesday. Current day announcement begins motion the opportunity for entrepreneurs to achieve scaly solutions across premium entrepreneurs. This can reduce friction in the marketplace,In . mentioned America online chief revenue officer Ned Brody. Enhancing choice and scale in current day banner ad campaigns companies are a rising tide that lifts all watercraft," mentioned Rik van der Kooi, corporate v . p . in the Microsoft Advertising Business Group. Because the deal concerns the U.S. only, America on the internet and Yahoo struck a separtate advertising partnership stretching to Canada that Microsoft is not connected with. Related Subjects Google Yahoo Microsoft America online

Muppets Song/Dance Sequence: Can Jason Segel Sing and Dance?

Of course The Muppets begins with a happy-clappy street symphony that looks like an outtake from Bjork’s “It’s Oh So Quiet.” It’s The Muppets, dammit! Perkiness on tap, puppetry on parade. Here, in this opening scene from the new movie, Jason Segel and his Muppet brother Walter don matching suits and sing about lovin’ life. Because they do. Next, I need Miss Piggy to writhe on the back of a flatbed truck to the tune of Bjork’s “Big Time Sensuality.” Something about Miss Piggy demands electronic beats and black-and-white cinematography. Here’s the full version of that song, “Life’s a Happy Song.” Now, do you have the whole wide world in the palm of your hand? ‘The Muppets’ Song and Opening Scene [HuffPost]

Friday Box Office: Tower Heist Barely Paying Off as Puss Holds Fast

One can only imagine what scorchingly candid observations Universal boss Ron Meyer will soon make about his studio’s Tower Heist, which is currently more than 30 percent off the pace originally projected for its opening-weekend grosses. America wasn’t racing to the latest Harold & Kumar film either, choosing instead a family-friendlier 3-D confection that may yet emerge at the top of the box-office charts. Your Friday Box Office is here. 1. TOWER HEIST: $8,500,000 (new) 2. PUSS IN BOOTS: $7,200,000 ($66,500,000) 3. A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR 3-D CHRISTMAS: $5,500,000 (new) 4. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3: $2,700,000 ($94,000,000) 5. IN TIME: $1,800,000 ($21,700,000) [via Deadline]