Harrelson materializes in 'Now You See Me'

HarrelsonHot on the heels of his buzzed-about turn as a corrupt LAPD officer in Oren Moverman's "Rampart," Woody Harrelson has entered negotiations for a role in Summit Entertainment's magician heist pic "Now You See Me." Louis Leterrier is directing the film, which stars Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher and Melanie Laurent. Harrelson is in talks to play Merritt Osbourne, a mentalist and hypnotist known for his Jedi-style mind tricks. He used to perform overseas for the Queen of England, but a bloody incident forces him to flee to Vegas where he joins the Four Horsemen, a squad of the world's greatest illusionists who pull off a series of daring bank heists during their performances, then shower the profits on their auds. Edward Ricourt ("How to Defeat Your Own Clone") and Boaz Yakin wrote the original script that drew Leterrier's interest, while "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" scribes Andre Nemec and Josh Applebaum recently did a polish. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are producing via their shingle Kurtzman Orci Paper Products, whose Bobby Cohen will exec produce along with Yakin. Harrelson next stars in "Rampart," which Millennium Entertainment acquired after its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. Millennium, which will release the film later this year, will mount an awards campaign for Harrelson, who received an Oscar nom for Moverman's "The Messenger." Harrelson, repped by CAA, recently starred in "Friends With Benefits" and will soon be seen as Haymitch Abernathy in "The Hunger Games." Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com

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Emma Roberts, AnnaSophia Robb to Star in 'Anything But Ordinary' From Alloy and Southpaw (Exclusive)

Alloy Entertainment and Southpaw Entertainment are joining up for just about any music-driven love story titled Not Regular, developing the project at the same time just like a book together with a movie.our editor recommends15 Movies That Made The Grade: A+ CinemaScore PosseSUNDANCE: Fox Searchlight Buys Emma Roberts' 'Homework' for North of $3 MillionTRAILER: AnnaSophia Robb as 'Soul Surfer'See James Franco's Youthful Brother Romance Emma Roberts in Av PHOTOS: Hollywood's New Leading Ladies Emma Roberts and AnnaSophia Robb are attached to star inside the drama while Sanaa Hamri is installed on direct. Charlie Craig written the first story as well as the script, which was also made by Liz Garcia and Lisa Barrett. Creating will probably be Richard Lewis of Southpaw, which originated from the project. Alloy Entertainment's Leslie Morgenstein will executive produce. The project continues to be develop individually but round the book front, Regular already features a home. Hyperion bought the project at auction from Alloy, while using book being put together by debut author Lara Avary. PHOTOS: 15 Movies That Made the Grade: A+ CinemaScore Posse Regular might be the storyline from the 17-year-old diving phenom who suffers a tragic accident throughout her final Olympic tests. When she wakes in the coma five years later, just like a 21-years of age, she's considered a medical miracle. But what nobody knows is the youthful lady has converted into a synesthete, processing words and amounts through color, the next dimension and appear. Alloy, having a strong TV presence (it's seven shows on three systems), is developing a strong push into film, developing several projects wealthy in-profile designers. Among the projects will be the Luxe with Fake Empire and Vital and Sweep with Vince Vaughn and Universal Pictures. Among the projects Southpaw is concentrating on are Alan Loeb's By using this World as well as the Englishman, with Pierce Brosnan attached. Hamri, who directed Sisterhood in the Traveling Pants 2, is repped by ICM and Ray Kennar. Roberts, repped by CAA and manager David Sweeney, was last seen starring in Scream 4 while Robb, repped by CAA and Untitled, starred inside the inspiring drama Soul Surfer. Related Subjects Emma Roberts

Maisel talks 'new wave' of bigscreen games

Forget superheroes. The next wave of major movie franchises will come from casual games, starting with ''Angry Birds.''That was the message delivered by former Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel, who is now a strategic advisor to ''Angry Birds'' creator Rovio.Maisel, who oversaw the launch of Marvel Studios' movie franchise with ''Iron Man,'' noted that so far movie versions of video games have not been consistent winners, with 23 films averaging about $35 million domestic box office. ''They've been made by companies that will lower the budget and try to hit a single, rather than the home run you get from an 'Avatar' or a superhero film.'' With console games, said Maisel, ''the potential for big entertainment franchises wasn't as great.''''With casual gaming, so many people are playing them, I think it's the first time we'll see massive brands coming out of the game world and superceding what gaming has been.''Rather than redoing superheroes this is a chance to start a new wave. Rather than redoing superheroes this is a chance to start a new wave.''Maisel said the merchandising potential of casual games is also vast. ''It used to be the only way to create a global merchandisable property was through a blockbuster picture or through a really successful global cartoon show. Both those things are really expensive and hard to do. Even with a film brand you don't normally sell that much merchandise on the first movie, it's on the sequel.''But ''Angry Birds,'' he said, is generating interest unlike anything he ever saw in his movie career. ''It actually makes the analytics of the (''Angry Birds'') movie tougher, because we could probably sell the merchandise without a movie.''Maisel said he hopes ''Angry Birds'' will illustrate to the movie business the potential of ''massive brands coming in from the gaming realm.'' ''I think the awareness is already getting out there that this new technology and the ability to play on our phones can launch massive brands in a way that's never been done before.'' Contact David S. Cohen at david.cohen@variety.com

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Body of Proof: 6 Things You should know Concerning the Year

Body Of Proof A brand new person in they! A brand new guy in her own existence! For Body of Proof's prickly protagonist Megan Search (Dana Delany), learning that her boss is dating her ex-husband within the Season 1 finale only agreed to be the end from the iceberg. Listed here are six things you should know for that year: 6. There is a new girl around: Season 2 will introduce a brand new worker, Dani (Nathalie Kelley), who drives the van for that medical examiner's office. "I believe they did a fantastic job [casting] because that which you notice is those who operate in the morgue aren't what you'd expect," Delany informs TVGuide.com. "They are frequently covered in tats and type of stylish, groovy, interesting people who operate in a morgue, and that is what she's like. She's type of a hipster, inked small punk and she's a potential love interest for a few the men." Fall Preview: Get scoop in your favorite coming back shows 5. Be careful for untidy office politics: "There's a few episodes approaching ... that I am really looking forward to which have related to the political dynamics between your two departments and creating rifts between your two departments and making people choose," John Carroll Lynch states. At the time of the division between your police department and also the medical examiner's office, audiences will also have to determine another side of boss Kate (Jeri Ryan) as she gets to be more associated with the instances this year. "I suspect this year we'll see much more of her political ambition and much more of her political ties," Ryan states, "but I'm not sure just how that will engage in.Inch 4. A Parent of the season Award isn't in Megan's future: Megan made major progress last season in repairing her relationship together with her daughter, Lacey (Mary Mouser), however it might be a situation of 1 advance, two steps back. "I believe it will likely be push-pull like every mother-daughter relationship," Delany states. "I love the truth that Megan's unaware if this involves her daughter. She's so wise at each other facet of her existence aside from personal associations. And she or he does not understand how to act and she's type of vulnerable and childlike for the reason that area, so Lacey eventually ends up needing to function as the adult in lots of ways.Inch Delany, for just one, is betting against Megan. "Hopefully she's not completely effective because then leading to more drama and comedy." Take a look at our listing of TV duos who must do it 3. Megan's household is going to have more dysfunctional: Season 2 accumulates immediately after the shocking thought of last season's finale - when Megan discovers that her ex-husband is dating Kate. "I believe she's trying tough to accept it, although not thriving at this,Inch Delany states. Situations are also complicated for Kate due to her insufficient parental experience. "Everybody at work needs to cope with the consequences of this - even individuals in a roundabout way involved," Ryan states. "Kate then finds herself tossed into the center of this already very tense and uncomfortable family dynamic, which she'd no curiosity about being in the center of, also it involves a teenage girl too. Therefore it is very awkward and everybody's looking for their footing within this new dynamic." 2. Kate is not the only person getting romanced: Search for both Peter (Nicholas Bishop) and Megan to consider dips within the dating pool. Megan will discover a possible love curiosity about FBI agent Derek Ames, performed by High cliff Curtis, while Peter is a little harder to pin lower. "They are turning Peter into a little of the playa so he's dating a great deal and heading out with many different chicks. Chicks are tossing themselves at him," Delany states. "Megan's similar to, 'Hm, I did not fully realize he was that hot.' And So I believe that begins stirring some misconception.Inch That jealously is going to be mutual when Derek makes its way into Megan's existence. 1. Don't hold your breath for Megan and Peter: Yes, the crime-fixing duo will have the pangs of jealously, but both Delany and Bishop admit pairing their figures together feels just a little had the experience, done that. As well as, as Bishop highlights, their hookup will make the medical examiner's office "hell on wheels" for everybody. "Very in early stages, the designers, the producers and also the authors made the decision that people were not going to achieve that. Never say never -- almost always there is just a little flirtation and whatever. However I think it is simply more interesting to achieve the relationship that people have," he states. "He's her conscience. He's the man who - aside from her daughter - can change around and say whether she's acting badly." Body of Proof returns on Tuesday at 10/9c on ABC.

The Awakening Trailer Haunts The Internet

Rebecca Hall can get spooked.... Due to the surfeit of paranormal analysis shows concerning the goggle box nowadays, with categories of "qualified researchers" getting us evening vision footage of spectral sights, along with the recognition in the Paranormal Activity franchise, it's not surprise that ghoulies and ghosties and extended-legged beasties and items that go bump inside the evening continue being considered prime fodder for your silver screen. Together with the nights drawing in as fall comes a-coming, the time is right for just about any film such as the Awakening, which has just launched its first trailer. Take a look below.... Occur an England still spinning within the huge, tragic deficits from the First World War, The Awakening sees Rebecca Hall as Florence Cathcart, a no-nonsense, scientifically minded youthful lady who thinks staunchly inside the truth and sets to research claims in the supernatural while using goal of supplying all of them with the best old debunking. When she's contacted by Robert Mallory (Dominic West) and requested to stay within the boys' boarding school where he's the headmaster, she's naturally ready to pour cold water concerning the students' claims that spectral children are actually spotted around the building. But guess what happens? Calculates there can be something very real haunting the region...Targeted by telly veteran Nick Murphy, the film features a script by Stephen Volk, a man who knows a couple of reasons for frightening stuff, getting created the tv drama Afterlife and being behind among Empire's favourite spooky fake-outs, 1992's Ghostwatch. We've got high wants the film, given a cast including Hall, West and Imelda Staunton. The Awakening is going on November 11.

Jay Duplass talks up 'Jeff'

Large boys do cry, to listen to Jay Duplass tell it a minimum of throughout the planet premiere of his comedy-drama "Shaun, Who Lives in your own home.InchInchWe virtually cried with the whole factor," he accepted when requested in the Elgin Theater how he and brother Mark responded throughout Wednesday night's world premiere in the Toronto Intl. Film Festival.Jay Duplass added that some of the most memorable moments in the existence came in cinemas. "To share this wonderful you, this is exactly why you need to do this," he added.The siblings, who co-directed using their script, stated the storyline of Shaun described by Jason Segel like a guy believing that the world is delivering him messages in Baton Rouge, La. -- came from inside a 2003 short."We like Shaun," Mark Duplass stated. "They have passion and that he falls on his face. They have no embarrassment." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

'Glee's' Chris Colfer on Emmy Host Jane Lynch

As Jane Lynch preps for TV's greatest evening, the Primetime Emmy Honours, "Glee" stars Chris Colfer and Amber Riley told "The Hollywood Reporter" their co-star is awesome like a cucumber."She does not appear nervous," stated Colfer on Monday, Sept. 12. "I do not believe that lady could possibly get nervous. She's always so excited and pleased to do anything whatsoever. But I am really searching toward seeing what she does by using it.InchAdditional Riley, "I spoken to her a bit. Very little about hosting, but she appears like she's really excited and ready.""She has been an active bee," Riley ongoing. "She did the Make A Move Honours, and today she's doing the Emmys, and also the show in addition -- so, she has been an active one."As the co-stars were thrilled about guest star Gwyneth Paltrow's Creative Arts Emmy win on her turn as Carol Holiday, they expressed curiosity about visiting a couple of other faves collect some hardware on Sunday."I simply did a film with Christina Hendricks and she's amazing," Colfer stated of his Emmy favorite. "Among the best people I have ever met. She's literally a Disney princess in human form, so I am really searching toward hopefully seeing her win."Riley, however, is tugging for HBO's "Boardwalk Empire."The 63rd Primetime Emmys air survive NBC at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday Sept. 18. The Hollywood Reporter

Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks Searching for Sparkle Remake

Before there's Dreamgirls the musical (as well as Dreamgirls the film) there's Sparkle, the enchantingly melodramatic 1976 R&B musical in regards to the pros and cons from the trio of singing brothers and sisters from Harlem who ensure it is large in 19 fifties New You'll be able to. The storyplot was loosely, infamously good real-existence encounters in the Supremes and lead singer Diana Ross’s ascent to solo fame, but Sparkle stood a dark edge, with risks like drugs, crooks, and jealousy around every corner. Even Mariah Carey got in on some Sparkle action in Glitter, which aped beats within the streets-to-fame saga. Now, naturally, it’s a completely new songbird’s use accept familiar dramarama for just about any spin — make that two songbirds. As THR reviews, The The American Idol Show Show alum Jordin Sparks remains cast inside the lead as Sparkle, the higher gifted but overlooked part of the all-girl group The Hearts, that's centered by Sparkle’s more appealing, more sexualized sister. That character, named Sister inside the original, has not been cast, but imagine Beyonce in Dreamgirls, whose arc adopted the same path. Lonette McKee, who carried out Sister inside the original, was incredible because film and you'll be a hard act to follow along with together with. However, is Sparks — who’s a great singer, yes, but an misguided actress — around the job of filling Irene Cara’s shoes? Whitney Houston, meanwhile, is positioned to see the ladies’ mother in their first film since the Preacher’s Wife, while Mike Epps may have Satin, “a stand-up comedian who marries one of the brothers and sisters and can get her addicted to drugs.” The remake is scripted by Mara Brock Akil and you'll be directed by Salim Akil, the married duo behind Wager’s The Sport. Here’s my trepidation: Sparkle is actually wonderfully cheesy sometimes and therefore truly fabulous at others the remake can’t possibly recapture the miracle (or sass or, yes, sparkle or En Style-inspiring energy) in the original. Consider the remake potential as you watch a few amounts within the original: Whitney Houston in Predicts Star in Music-Designed Drama ‘Sparkle’ [THR]

Video published for Batman: The Dark Dark night Rises' LA shoot

Video in the LA part of the aim for The Dark Dark night Increases has made an appearance on the internet and showcases what is an icy climax towards the film.With snow already being photoshopped throughout previous filming in Pittsburgh, the most recent set takes the icy theme to some extent where we would not be surprised to determine Mr Freeze go out.Religious Bale appears like he's walking with the role with no Batsuit within the first shot, enduring the 'ice' in T-shirt and shorts (this really is LA remember).Then he talks with the scene with Gary Oldman, before Oldman's Commissioner Gordon totters out as though he's expecting that fake ice to interrupt.Take a look below...

Toronto 2011: Lionsgate and Grindstone Get Supernatural Thriller 'Enter Nowhere' (Exclusive)

Getty Grindstone Entertainment and Lionsgate have acquired United States distribution privileges to go in Nowhere, the thriller directed by Jack Heller, among the principals of management-production outfit Quality Media Co. Referred to as getting shades from the Twilight Zone and Lost, the pic informs of 4 other people who end up stranded inside a mysterious forest. The other people seek shelter within an abandoned cabin and should learn how to trust each other and interact to locate a way from the forest. Sara Paxton (Shark Evening three dimensional), Scott Eastwood (Texas Chainsaw Massacre three dimensional), and Kathryn Waterston (The Baby sitters) star within the movie, that will premiere the following month at ScreamFest in La. Worldwide privileges for that film are now being handled by Indomina, who've offered several areas already and can organize future tests at AFM in November. Shawn Christensen (Abduction) and Jason Dolan authored the script, that was created by Heller and the Quality Media Co. partner Dallas Sonnier. Grindstone's Craig Brooker and Stan Wertlieb and Preferred Content's Kevin Iwashina made the offer. Toronto Worldwide Film Festival Sara Paxton Worldwide

Comedy repeats lower this summer time

'Two . 5 Men' has fallen further in reruns than most laffers.It might be going gangbusters in distribution, but veteran comedy "2 . 5 Males" wilted within the rankings with repeats this summer time on CBS.Charlie Sheen's exit last winter -- and also the show's subsequent production shutdown -- resulted in CBS auds haven't seen an authentic episode from the show since mid-Feb. And also the continuous run of repeats has apparently been a turn-on auds.Phone program earnings for summer time discloses that from Memorial Day to Labor Day, repeats of "2 . 5 Males" on CBS settled to have an average grown ups 18-49 rating of just one.5, lower an astonishing 40% in the 2.5 it gained last year, based on Nielsen.(Oddly enough, "Males" remains towards the top of the syndicated heap this summer time, as auds still yuk up over older repeats from the show.)While rankings for "Males" required a tumble on CBS, it had been in no way the only real comedy to shed a substantial slice of its viewership this summer time because the trend of audience disinterest in repeats faster.Other coming back CBS comedies like "Generate An Income Met Your Mother" (lower 24%), "The Large Bang Theory" (lower 32%) and "Rules of Engagement" (lower a smaller 11%) have lost audiences. A few of the decline for "Large Bang" could be credited to its move from the publish-"2 . 5 Males" slot on Mondays last year to its leadoff position on Thursdays this summer time, while Monday vet "Mother" appeared to suffer together with "Males."All NBC's coming back Thursday comedies battled this summer time, with top-ranked "WorkInch supporting best (lower 15%). Bigger declines happened for "30 Rock" (lower 20%), "Community" (lower 22%) and "Parks and Entertainment" (lower 27%).And also at Fox, declines because of its animated comedies vary from 11% for "American Father" to 18% for "The Cleveland Show."ABC has worked out best using its comedy repeats, with "Modern Family" up a tick versus. this past year (1.7 versus. 1.6) and "The CenterInch lower a tick (1.1 versus. 1.2).All of the nets are wishing that auds is going to be in front of the sets and searching to laugh when original instances of comedies start Sept. 19. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com

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Starz Puts Mara Winokur Responsible For Digital Deals

New You are able to, NY September 7, 2011 Starz Digital Media, digital as well as on-demand certification arm of Starz, elevated two key professionals using the promotions of Mara Winokur towards the position of senior v . p ., digital media, business development and strategy at Starz Media, a situation which makes her the brand new mind from the division, and David Katz, to v . p ., digital media with new and broadened business duties. The announcement is made by Erectile dysfunction Huguez, executive v . p ., affiliate marketing and advertising for Starz. Winokur, who offered formerly as v . p ., digital media and business development, will oversee the whole Starz Digital Media division and also the digital initiatives supporting its various film, television and digital-only content qualities. Winokur and her team will manage digital distribution, certification, distribution, content and vendor close ties with several partners and marketers varying from traditional cable/satellite/telco multichannel video affiliate marketers to internet/mobile marketers to game and social networking designers/marketers to electronic devices partners. The recording content they distribute and market ranges from theatrical features to short-form animation from all of Starz various business models including: Starz Entertainment (pay television), Anchor Bay Entertainment (home theatre), Manga Entertainment (Japanese Anime) and Film Roman (animation). Starz Digital Medias David Katz seemed to be marketed to v . p ., digital media from his previous position becoming executive director. Katz new position grows his role by including duties for product, partner associations, and global multiplatform marketing across all business models. He'll still oversee the creation, development, and execution of Starz Digital Media digital extensions and extractions, including originals, applications, and games, by using proprietary and licensed Starz content and disbursing it to Internet and mobile partners. Starz Digital Media is within very capable and inventive hands with Mara and David and that i congratulate them on the particular promotions, stated Huguez. Digital group is a supply of great energy, solid business performance, and terrific innovation through its growth and development of innovative qualities, like the Spartacus Facebook game. Media qualities, like these, build synergy with this originals and make ancillary revenue possibilities for the organization. Just before joining Starz Digital Media, Winokur was the Senior Director of Digital Business Development at EMI Music Entertainment. Within this role, Winokur brought they accountable for evaluating business plans constructing and settling deal terms and performing contracts within the on the internet and mobile spaces. She also examined developing digital trends and advised on cool product methods and business models. Before her position at EMI, Winokur would be a Director of recent Technology Business Development at The new sony BMG Entertainment. Winokur has additionally labored in New Media Strategy in the McGraw-Hill Companies, Proper Alliances at Palm, Corporation., and it has consulted with several Plastic Valley companies. Winokur received her Master of business administration with honors in Strategy and Finance in the College of Chicagos Graduate School of economic and her BA in Communications and Psychology from Stanford College. Katz became a member of Starz from Youthful & Rubicam/VML, where he handled their NY digital group. Just before joining Youthful & Rubicam, Katz would be a digital strategist for that Bay Area based Thoughtpod. He received his Master of business administration with honors on television, Entertainment, and Finance from NYUs Stern School of economic and the BA in British in the College of California at Santa Barbara.

Ki

A Skorpion Arte production in colaboration with Hydra Films Energia, Piramida Film, Film Factory, Studio UFO, using the support from the Polish Film Institute, Canal Plus Belgium. (Worldwide sales: Skorpian Arte, Warsaw.) Created by Malgorzata Jurczak, Krzysztof Gredzinski. Executive producers, Jurczak, Gredzinski. Directed by Leszek David. Script, Pawel Ferdek, David, Lukasz Gutt.With: Roma Gasiorowska, Adam Woronowicz, Kamil Malecki, Krzysztof Ogloza, Sylwia Juszczak, Agnieszka Suchora, Krzysztof Globisz, Dorota Pomykala, Pawel Krolikowski, Maya Hirsch, Agata Kulesza, Angieszka Wosinska.A youthful mother manipulates and exploits others to obtain time from her kid and turn into afloat financially in Polish drama "Ki," the feature debut for youthful documaker Leszek David. Although her character is generally badly socialized, comely star Roma Gasiorowska handles to create her titular character supportive, even kind of pleasant, and also the pic provides an energetic portrait of contempo youth culture in urban Belgium. Still, having a script that isn't terribly original or surprising, "Ki" will not unlock many doorways offshore, aside from individuals in a couple of fests. Warsaw-based Kinga, also known as Ki (Gasiorowska), includes a cute 2-year-old boy named Pio (Kamil Malecki), sired by her shiftless b.f. Anto (Krzysztof Ogloza). She works like a nude model in the local art school and often strips, but is looking to get on welfare by hiding various other causes of earnings. When she and Anto separate, she moves along with friend Dorota (Sylwia Juszczak) and Dorota's fiance Miko (Adam Woronowicz) and proceeds to screw up their apartment and coerce Miko into appearing as her fiance before social employees. Stuttery editing adds texture for an sufficient tech package thesping's good.Camera (color, HD), Gutt editor, Jaroslaw Kaminski music supervisor, Patrycja Bukowska production designer, Ewa Skoczkowska costume designer, Dorota Roqueplo. Examined at Venice Film Festival (Venice Days), Sept. 5, 2011. Running time: 98 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Steven Soderbergh Now Denying Retirement From Filmmaking

Steven Soderbergh isn't ready to leave filmmaking for good after all.our editor recommendsAlex Pettyfer to Star in Steven Soderbergh's Stripper Film 'Magic Mike''Hunger Games' Getting Help From Director Steven Soderbergh'Hunger Games': The Real Story Behind Steven Soderbergh's InvolvementRelated Topics•Venice International Film... A few days after saying he was planning to retire from directing to become a painter, Soderbergh is now insisting that he isn't ready to completely leave Hollywood just yet. PHOTOS: Venice Film Festival: 10 Movies to Know "It's less dramatic that it sounds; it's just a sabbatical," the director said at the Venice Film Festival, where his latest movie, Contagion, premiered Saturday. "I feel I need to recalibrate, so I can discover something new," he told the Observer, as picked up by BBC News."I'm out of ways of telling art." PHOTOS: The Scene at the Venice Film Festival Just last week, he told the New York Times his retirement was going to become a reality. "I'm interested in exploring another art form while I have the time and ability to do so," he said. "I'll be the first person to say if I can't be any good at it and run out of money I'll be back making another Ocean's movie." STORY:Steven Soderbergh Confirms Career Shift From Director to Painter Soderbergh's retirement talk is nothing new: The director has been hinting about it since 2009, but he fueled the flames of speculation when he said in March that he had two more movies to make -- Liberace, starring Matt Damon and Michael Douglas, and Man From U.N.C.L.E., starring George Clooney, who has since bowed out -- and then he was done with directing. STORY: Steven Soderbergh Planning to Retire From Filmmaking Meanwhile, Soderbergh did direct another film, the spy thriller Haywire, and is in preproduction on the Channing Tatum male stripper drama Magic Mike. Contagion, which is competing at the Venice festival, is a thriller about a global pandemic that features an A-list ensemble including Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Laurence Fishburne and Kate Winslet. Related Topics Gwyneth Paltrow Jude Law Kate Winslet Laurence Fishburne Matt Damon Contagion Steven Soderbergh Venice International Film Festival