Planned parenthood contributions

In a move that comes as about as much as a surprise as James Bond liking his martini shaken not stirred, Universal today responded to the multi-claim Section 6 lawsuit from MGM and Bond producer Danjaq with a request that the federal court throw out the “threadbare allegations about hypothetical future infringement in works yet to be produced.” In fact, Universal accuses MGM and Danjaq of using the possibility of their Aaron Berg -written WWI-themed pic about the formation of the UK’s MI6 as a pretense for larger aims. “In an effort to claim an unfounded monopoly on the British spy genre, and to scare away Universal and any other would-be competitors to James Bond , Plaintiffs rushed to file this needless action,” notes today’s filing ( read it here ). Berg himself has also filed a heavily redacted motion for dismissal (read it here ) for his “undeniably original creative work.” This latest move from entertainment legal mastermind Bert Fields and … [Read more...] about Universal Wants “Needless” Bond Copyright Suit From MGM & 007 Producer Tossed

Ryan Reynolds ’ Maximum Effort Productions has closed an exclusive multi-year first-look deal with FuboTV for unscripted content. As part of the deal, the prodco will launch Maximum Effort Network, a linear channel on FuboTV, and will also have a blind scripted deal with Fubo TV. The new Maximum Effort Network will join Fubo’s sports, news and entertainment lineup, with Maximum Effort Productions having creative control over the channel’s content. “Maximum Effort’s mission is to bring people together in fun and unexpected ways and we think today’s announcement with Fubo will help do just that,” said Reynolds. “FuboTV has taken a fresh approach to developing and delivering content in the digital age and the entire team is passionate about thinking differently and taking chances. I genuinely can’t believe Maximum Effort gets to program our own network. I am beyond excited and grateful to Fubo.” Reynolds ( Deadpool 2, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu ) and George Dewey ( … [Read more...] about Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort Inks First-Look Unscripted Deal With FuboTV

EXCLUSIVE : If you thought the major fallout from the hacking of Sony Pictures by North Korea late last year and the attempted asphyxiating of The Interview was over, the federal courts have something to tell you. Earlier this week, all of the plaintiffs in the seven class action lawsuits filed against the studio over the massive leaking of personal information such as Social Security numbers and alleged inadequate cyber protection have asked Judge R. Gary Klausne to consolidate their cases. “Consolidating the cases will be the most efficient and effective way of litigating the claims on behalf of the proposed class,” say the plaintiffs in the January 12 motion for one big Sony Data Breach Litigation case ( read it here ). And Sony is cool with that – to a degree. “While SPE does not oppose Plaintiffs’ assertion that these cases ‘involve a common question of law or fact’ for purposes of consolidation, SPE disputes that any of these actions can be prosecuted on a … [Read more...] about Sony Hacking Class Actions Set To Become One Big Lawsuit

Less than a month after being ripped open by a massive hacking, Sony Pictures has now been slapped by former employees with the first of what could be many class action suits. “An epic nightmare, much better suited to a cinematic thriller than to real life, is unfolding in slow motion for Sony’s current and former employees,” says the December 15 complaint by Michael Corona and Christina Mathis. The 45-page filing ( read it here ) in federal court in California seeks class action certification for all past and present Sony U.S. employees with California and Virginia subclasses, jury trial and unspecified “appropriate relief, including any actual and statutory damages, restitution and disgorgement.” With personal information, leaked films, executive emails and other corporate entrails coming out in waves since the initial hack on November 24, a lawsuit like this hasn’t been entirely unexpected as questions of the studio’s liability are in play. The plaintiffs isolated Sony’s … [Read more...] about Sony Attack: Studio Hit With First Class Action By Ex-Employees

Chelsea Handler has lined up her next TV gig and it is the one she’d wanted all along — a talk show on Netflix . After months of negotiations and speculation , the streaming service has announced a deal with the comedian that includes a talk show, to launch in early 2016, as well as stand-up special and four docu-comedy specials. Like her E! late-night show, which will end its seven-tear run on August 26 , the Netflix talker will feature Handler’s unfiltered opinions on topics of the day as well as guest interviews. It has not been determined yet what  frequency the show will be released with — daily, weekly or in between — with Netflix only noting that it will debut simultaneously in all Netflix territories. “The Internet has disrupted many of the conventions of traditional television and together with Chelsea Handler , Netflix is looking forward to reimagining the late night talk show for the on-demand generation, starting with the late-night part….” said Netflix … [Read more...] about Chelsea Handler Gets Netflix Talk Show

2ND UPDATE: I just got off the phone with top Hollywood litigator Bert Fields who tells me, “I intend to testify. I have nothing to hide. I have not been subpoenaed but if I am, I will show up and testify.” Asked why the feds said in pre-trial proceedings at the Pellicano trial today that Fields planned to take the Fifth Amendment rather than testify about his relationship with Hollywood private investigator Anthony Pellicano, Bert told me, “It’s complicated” and declined to reveal more than that. What a stunner of a day. First, the feds announced in federal court this morning that Fields, long considered Hollywood’s leading litigator who frequently hired The Pelican on cases, would be taking the Fifth Amendment when he’s called to testify in the Pellicano trial. The news immediately threw the pre-trial proceedings into a tizzy as prosecutors and defense attorneys tried to figure out its ramifications. So U.S. District Court Judge Dale Fischer scheduled a conference on the … [Read more...] about EXCLUSIVE! BERT FIELDS WILL TESTIFY (…And Won’t Take The Fifth)

Ponniyin Selvan Part 1, the much-awaited Mani Ratnam directorial has been slated to hit the theatres this September. The makers revealed the first single Ponni Nadhi from the historical drama and the exceptional number instantly emerged as a chartbuster. As per the latest reports, Ponniyin Selvan 's second single has now got a release date. If the reports are to be believed, the second single of the Mani Ratnam directorial might get launched on August 18 or 19, in a special event that will be held in Hyderabad. Some unconfirmed reports suggest that Ponniyin Selvan 's second single might be the Victory Song dedicated to one of its protagonists Aditya Karikalan, played by Chiyaan Vikram. The new updates regarding Ponniyin Selvan 's second single have left both the fans of Chiyaan Vikram and Tamil cinema audiences equally excited. The National award-winning actor, who had given the teaser and first single launch events a miss due to his ill health, might … [Read more...] about Ponniyin Selvan: Second Single Of Mani Ratnam’s Film To Release On THIS Date?

Paul Walker knew damn well how dangerous it is to race high-performance cars on the road ... because he was about to join the fight to stop illegal street racing ... this according to Hulk Hogan 's ex-wife. Linda Hogan was in Thousand Oaks, CA last week when she told us Paul and her son, Nick Hogan , bonded over their love of race cars ... and says they had big plans. After Nick's infamous street racing accident in 2007 , he started a charity called "Keep it On the Track" -- and Linda says Paul was going to team up with Nick to spread the word about keeping high-performance race cars ON designated race tracks, and OFF streets. Paul and Nick also had something fun in the works -- watch the clip, Linda says it was all about "their toys." … [Read more...] about Linda Hogan — Paul Walker Wanted to Help My Son Prevent Street Racing

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have called a temporary truce while their lawyers try to negotiate a full divorce settlement ... TMZ has learned. Sources very familiar with the situation tell us ... there are NO immediate plans for either side to go to court. There will be no court hearing Monday, Tuesday or in the foreseeable future, unless the negotiations fall apart. Sources tell us the lawyers are negotiating child custody, visitation, child support and a property settlement. We're also told the whole settlement could be ratified in New York if all goes well. In other words, there may not be a move by Tom's camp to transfer the case to California, where judges are more likely to award joint custody. One source described the emotional state of the negotiations as "calm." Katie was spotted this morning in NYC, heading into her lawyer's office. … [Read more...] about Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes in Divorce Settlement Talks

EXCLUSIVE: Irish actor Anthony Boyle has signed with WME for representation. Boyle was most recently tapped to star as John Wilkes Booth alongside Tobia Menzies in the Apple limited series Manhunt. The series, which is currently filming, is based on James Swanson’s book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. Described as part historical fiction and part conspiracy thriller, Manhunt will center on the aftermath of the first American presidential assassination and the fight to preserve and protect the ideals that were the foundation of Lincoln’s Reconstruction plans. Boyle also stars in Apple’s upcoming Band of Brothers sequel Masters of the Air , opposite Callum Turner, Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan. Based on the book by Donald L. Miller, Masters of the Air follows the true, deeply personal story of the American bomber boys in World War II who brought the war to Hitler’s doorstep. Directed by Cary Fukanaga, the series is executive produced by Steven … [Read more...] about ‘Manhunt’s Anthony Boyle Signs With WME