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Tim Robbins will probably always be more famous as an actor than as a director, but he's had a pretty good run behind the camera as well, directing the 90s classic Dead Man Walking along with the TV movie Possible Side Effects and even two episodes of the HBO series Treme. Maybe it's that HBO work that's inspiring him to get his first film into theaters since 1999's Cradle Will Rock-- Robbins has signed a deal to direct an adaptation of the short story Wenceslas Square, which will become a feature film called City of Lies. You may recognize the story from the NPR show This American Life, of all places, where it was read on an episode in 2007. This American Life producers Alissa Shipp and Ira Glass will be involved with the film adaptation, according to THR, and the screenwriting duties will go to Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely,...

Watch this brand new HD movie trailer for the upcoming film “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ by director Tony Scott (The Warriors, Deja Vu, True Romance, Top Gun) and starring John Travolta (From Paris with Love), Denzel Washington (The Book of Eli), James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Jason Butler Harner (Possible Side Effects, Fringe), Brian Haley (Gran Torino) and John Turturro (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). Movie Synopsis: Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garbe into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime. Stay tuned to Shockya.com for the [...]...

The Inside Reel recently interviewed director Tony Scott on the upcoming film “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ by director Tony Scott (The Warriors, Deja Vu, True Romance, Top Gun) and starring John Travolta (From Paris with Love), Denzel Washington (The Book of Eli), James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Jason Butler Harner (Possible Side Effects, Fringe), Brian Haley (Gran Torino) and John Turturro (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). Movie Synopsis: Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garbe into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime. Stay tuned to Shockya.com for [...]...

The Inside Reel just posted this interview with actor Denzel Washington on the upcoming film “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ by director Tony Scott (The Warriors, Deja Vu, True Romance, Top Gun) and starring John Travolta (From Paris with Love), Denzel Washington (The Book of Eli), James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Jason Butler Harner (Possible Side Effects, Fringe), Brian Haley (Gran Torino) and John Turturro (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). Movie Synopsis: Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garbe into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime. Stay tuned [...]...

Chuck The Movie Guy recently interviewed director Tony Scott on the upcoming film “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ by director Tony Scott (The Warriors, Deja Vu, True Romance, Top Gun) and starring John Travolta (From Paris with Love), Denzel Washington (The Book of Eli), James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Jason Butler Harner (Possible Side Effects, Fringe), Brian Haley (Gran Torino) and John Turturro (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). Movie Synopsis: Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garbe into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime. Stay tuned to Shockya.com [...]...

Here’s a brand new television trailer for the upcoming film “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ by director Tony Scott (The Warriors, Deja Vu, True Romance, Top Gun) and starring John Travolta (From Paris with Love), Denzel Washington (The Book of Eli), James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Jason Butler Harner (Possible Side Effects, Fringe), Brian Haley (Gran Torino) and John Turturro (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). Movie Synopsis: Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garbe into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime. Stay tuned to Shockya.com for the latest [...]...

Chuck The Movie Guy recently interviewed Denzel Washington on the upcoming film “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ by director Tony Scott (The Warriors, Deja Vu, True Romance, Top Gun) and starring John Travolta (From Paris with Love), Denzel Washington (The Book of Eli), James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Jason Butler Harner (Possible Side Effects, Fringe), Brian Haley (Gran Torino) and John Turturro (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). Movie Synopsis: Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garbe into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime. Stay tuned to Shockya.com for [...]...

Sony Pictures just released this awesome new foreign poster from the upcoming film “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ by director Tony Scott (The Warriors, Deja Vu, True Romance, Top Gun) and starring John Travolta (From Paris with Love), Denzel Washington (The Book of Eli), James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Jason Butler Harner (Possible Side Effects, Fringe), Brian Haley (Gran Torino) and John Turturro (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). Movie Synopsis: Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garbe into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime. Stay tuned to Shockya.com [...]...

Movie star Josh Lucas feels like a member of Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins' family after shooting back-to-back films with the couple and their kids.

The actor worked with Sarandon on new movie Peacock and she suggested he star in her partner's new film Possible Side Effects.

Lucas says, "It's about a pharmaceutical family and Tim and Susan's kids are in the film. Eva (Amurri) plays my daughter and Miles (Robbins) plays my son.

"It was kind of odd because we really looked like a family."...

Showtime has set the future of "The Tudors", ordering another season and setting a final season. The series about the life of King Henry VIII and the women surrounding him, will be back for a fourth season but will end after that.

While the third season which has been running since April 5 is focusing on Henry's relationship with his third and fourth wives Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves respectively, the fourth season will highlight on his encounter with his fifth and sixth wives, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr, plus his deterioration that ends up in madness.

The final is set to bow in 2010 for 10 one-hour episodes with the production kicked off in June in Dublin. Michael Hirst, the executive producer as well as creator, will tackle the script himself.

"I'm thrilled to complete the saga of Henry VIII as re conceived by Michael Hirst," Showtime Entertainment president Robert Greenblatt says.

Now Tim Robbins really has something to complain about.

Despite good buzz for the speechifying actor's pharmaceutical drama pilot, Possible Side Effects, Showtime is taking a pass.

At least Robbins is in good company: The cabler has passed on all four pilots it ordered this outing. The other three are the L Word spinoff starring Leisha Hailey, the Matthew Perry/Peter Tolan comedy The End of Steve, and the comedy Ronna and Beverly, from a team that includes Weeds creator Jenji Kohan.

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And then there were none.

In a surprising move, Showtime on Friday passed on Tim Robbins' well-regarded pharmaceutical drama pilot "Possible Side Effects."

That makes it 0-4 for the premium cable network, which originally ordered four pilots in this go-round, including "Side Effects."

In the past week, Showtime passed on the other three pilots, the "L Word" spinoff starring Leisha Hailey, the Matthew Perry/Peter Tolan comedy "The End of Steve" and the comedy "Ronna and Beverly," from Jessica Chaffin, Jamie Denbo and Jenji Kohan.

The dismissal of "Side Effects" is noteworthy because the project was penned and directed by Oscar winner Robbins and attracted top talent, including Ellen Burstyn, Josh Lucas and Tim Blake Nelson.

It is said to have tested very high, and with the other three pilots out of contention, it was considered a shoo-in for a series order.

Industry observers on Friday were scratching their heads over Showtime's decision,...

Showtime has passed on another pilot, the comedy "Ronna and Beverly" from Jessica Chaffin, Jamie Denbo and Jenji Kohan.

In the past week, the pay cable network also passed on the "L Word" spinoff starring Leisha Hailey and the Matthew Perry/Peter Tolan comedy "The End of Steve," leaving Tim Robbins' drama "Possible Side Effects" as the only pilot still waiting its fate.

"Ronna and Beverly" was a relatively late addition to Showtime's current development slate, with the network ordering the pilot based on Chaffin and Denbo's sketches in January.

Like the Sony TV-produced "Steve," Lionsgate TV's "Ronna" is expected to be shopped to other outlets.

Showtime is homing in on new series to pick up. "Possible Side Effects" is produced as well as helmed by Tim Robbins. Josh Lucas stars and the show follows a dysfunctional, wealthy family who own a pharmaceutical company.   The comedy "Ronna & Beverly" is produced by Lionsgate and created by "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan. The story is based in Boston and follows the lives of two middle-aged Jewish woman. Apparentlu, they have passed on the dark comedy called "End of Steve" which is produced by and stars Matthew Perry. Also not making the cut was "The Farm," a spinoff from "L Word" producer Ilene Chaiken. Showtime is expected to pick up one or two new series for this year.

Showtime has reportedly trimmed its pilot field, ruling out an "L Word" spinoff as well as a comedy starring Matthew Perry. According to The Hollywood Reporter, only a pair of pilots remain in contention for Showtime slots.  One is "Possible Side Effects," a dramedy about the pharmaceutical industry from writer-director Tim Robbins, starring Josh Lucas. Also in the running is "Ronna and Beverly," from Jessica Chaffin, Jamie Denbo and "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan. That means that on Wednesday and Thursday, the creative teams behind the "L Word" spinoff, which was set to star Leisha Hailey, and "The End of Steve," featuring...

Showtime is homing in on new series to pick up. "Possible Side Effects" is produced as well as helmed by Tim Robbins. Josh Lucas stars and the show follows a dysfunctional, wealthy family who own a pharmaceutical company. The comedy "Ronna & Beverly" is produced by Lionsgate and created by "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan. The story is based in Boston and follows the lives of two middle-aged Jewish woman. Apparentlu, they have passed on the dark comedy called "End of Steve" which is produced by and stars Matthew Perry. Also not making the cut was "The Farm," a spinoff from "L Word"...

Showtime is homing in on new series to pick up. "Possible Side Effects" is produced as well as helmed by Tim Robbins. Josh Lucas stars and the show follows a dysfunctional, wealthy family who own a pharmaceutical company. The comedy "Ronna & Beverly" is produced by Lionsgate and created by "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan. The story is based in Boston and follows the lives of two middle-aged Jewish woman. Apparentlu, they have passed on the dark comedy called "End of Steve" which is produced by and stars Matthew Perry. Also not making the cut was "The Farm," a spinoff from "L Word"...

Sony Pictures recently released this movie trailer from the upcoming film “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ by director Tony Scott (The Warriors, Deja Vu, True Romance, Top Gun) and starring John Travolta (From Paris with Love), Denzel Washington (The Book of Eli), James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Jason Butler Harner (Possible Side Effects, Fringe), Brian Haley (Gran Torino) and John Turturro (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). Movie Synopsis: Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garbe into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime. Stay tuned to Shockya.com for the [...]...

Showtime appears close to making its new series picks after narrowing the field of hopefuls to two.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the network informed the producers of two pilots -- the "L-Word" spinoff starring Leisha Hailey and the Matthew Perry/Peter Tolan comedy "The End of Steve" -- that they would not continue. Sony TV, which produces the Perry-starring "Steve" is expected to shop the project to other cable nets.

Remaining in contention for a series pickup at Showtime are Tim Robbins' drama pilot "Possible Side Effects" and the comedy pilot "Ronna and Beverly" from Jessica Chaffin, Jamie Denbo and Jenji Kohan.

Showtime doesn't have strong needs. The new comedy "Nurse Jackie" is about to premiere, the comedy "United States of Tara" was recently renewed and the comedies "Weeds" and "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" have been picked up for two more cycles each. Also returning with new...

James Badge Dale has been tapped as the lead in AMC's untitled political thriller from writer Jason Horwitch and Warner Horizon.

Meanwhile, Christina Cox has joined Fox TV Studios' drama pilot "Defying Gravity," and Eva Amurri and Kimberly Quinn have been added to Showtime's drama pilot "Possible Side Effects."

Directed by Allen Coulter, the AMC thriller revolves around a secret society that pulls the strings on the world political stage. It centers on Will Travers (Dale), a brilliant analyst at a national think tank who discovers that his employers are not who they seem to be.

Dale, who next appears in the HBO miniseries "The Pacific," is repped by Icm and manager Myrna Jacoby.

Tim Robbins' "Side Effects" revolves around the Hunt family, which runs a pharmaceutical firm. Amurri -- the daughter of Robbins' partner, Susan Sarandon -- is playing Libby, the angst-ridden lesbian daughter of Max Hunt (Josh Lucas). Quinn,...

Jason Butler Harner has joined the cast of Showtime's drama pilot "Possible Side Effects."

Meanwhile, two recurring players on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," David Hornsby and Artemis Pebdani, have been added to Fox's single-camera comedy pilot "Boldly Going Nowhere," from the "It's Always Sunny" trio of Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton.

Tim Robbins' "Side Effects" revolves around the Hunt family, which runs a pharmaceutical firm.

Harner will play the middle son, Silas, peacekeeper and perhaps the only sane member of the clan.

Jason London originally was tapped for the role. The recasting was done after the table read for the pilot this week. Harner is repped by Endeavor.

"Nowhere," from 20th TV, is about what happens day-to-day on an intergalactic spaceship helmed by the rogue Capt. Ron Teague (Ben Koldyke).

Hornsby will play Lt. Lance Grigsby, the captain's devoted right-hand man, who supports his most misguided...

Horatio Sanz has joined ABC's midseason single-camera comedy series "In the Motherhood."

Meanwhile, Jason London has been added to Showtime's drama pilot "Possible Side Effects."

"Motherhood," from ABC Studios, is based on MindShare's online series starring Chelsea Handler, Leah Remini and Jenny McCarthy as three mothers and girlfriends whose exploits are based on real-life stories of moms across the country.

The ABC series will star Megan Mullally and Cheryl Hines. Handler had been in talks to reprise her role from the original, but a deal could not be worked out because of scheduling conflicts with her talk show on E!

"Saturday Night Live" alum Sanz will play Horatio, Hines' character's "manny."

Tim Robbins' "Side Effects" centers on the Hunt family, which runs a pharmaceutical company. London, repped by Stone Manners and Levine Okwu Talent, will play the middle son, Silas Hunt, peacekeeper and perhaps the only sane member of the eccentric clan.

Josh Lucas has been tapped to star in "Possible Side Effects," Tim Robbins' drama pilot for Showtime.

The project, which Robbins wrote and will direct, centers on the Hunts, a dysfunctional family running a pharmaceutical company. It examines the political, scientific and bureaucratic machinery that makes up the drug industry.

Lucas will play Max Hunt, who tries to keep the business and the family together in the face of controversy.

The casting of Lucas comes almost a year after Showtime greenlighted the pilot. Robbins is executive producing with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Daniel Thomas.

"Side Effects" marks the biggest series commitment for Lucas, whose feature credits include "Glory Road" and "Sweet Home Alabama." The actor, who recently wrapped "Tell-Tale" and "Peacock," is repped by Endeavor.

Showtime is close to giving a series pickup to its dark comedy starring Edie Falco.

The premium cable network is expected to make the announcement as soon as Friday at its presentation to the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour at the Beverly Hilton.

The network put the untitled single-camera comedy, co-produced by Showtime and Lionsgate TV, on the fast track in February when it picked it up to pilot. The project stars Falco as a strong-willed, iconoclastic New York nurse juggling the frenzied grind of an urban hospital and an equally challenging personal life. Peter Facinelli, Paul Schulze, Merritt Wever, Eve Best, Haaz Sleiman and Anna Deavere Smith co-starred in the pilot, written by Liz Brixius, Linda Wallem and Evan Dunsky.

Wallem and Brixius serve as executive producers/showrunners. Caryn Mandabach also executive produces.

Word of the impending green light comes on the heels of Showtime's series pickup of the Diablo Cody-penned comedy "The United States of Tara," from DreamWorks TV and Steven Spielberg. Also in contention for a series pickup at Showtime is the Tim Robbins-penned drama "Possible Side Effects."

Showtime is on roll of late, having nabbed 21 Emmy noms Thursday -- its most in a single year.

Showtime is fast-tracking a dark comedy project starring Edie Falco.

The premium cable network has ordered a pilot for the untitled single-camera comedy that will star the Sopranos alumna as a strong-willed, iconoclastic New York nurse juggling the frenzied grind of an urban hospital and an equally challenging personal life.

The pilot, co-produced by Showtime and Lionsgate TV, will go into preproduction immediately and will be shot in New York.

"To be bringing Edie Falco to Showtime is both a privilege and an honor," Showtime entertainment president Robert Greenblatt said. "Bada bing is all I can think of to say."

The pilot was written by Liz Brixius, Linda Wallem and Evan Dunsky. Wallem and Brixius will serve as executive producers/showrunners. Caryn Mandabach also is an exec producer.

The Falco project is one of three pilots that Showtime is prepping, along with the Tim Robbins-penned pharmaceutical drama Possible Side Effects and the Diablo Cody-written half-hour The United States of Tara.

Falco recently appeared on a three-episode arc of NBC's 30 Rock. She is repped by ICM and Jackson Group Entertainment.

NEW YORK -- Showtime became an unlikely supplier of strike content when CBS picked up "Dexter" during the heart of the labor stoppage.

With the strike over, CBS still will forge ahead with that series -- even as Showtime lines up its next round of pilots.

The pay network said Wednesday that it has greenlighted to pilot the Tim Robbins-penned pharmaceutical drama "Possible Side Effects", with Robbins set to direct and casting set to begin shortly. The network also has attached feature director Craig Gillespie ("Lars and the Real Girl") to direct the pilot for "The United States of Tara", the Diablo Cody-penned half-hour about a woman with multiple-personality disorder, and is aiming to shoot in the spring.

"Now that the strike is over, we're in the process of making pilots that we could move on quickly," programming chief Robert Greenblatt said.

Speaking during a joint appearance with Showtime business topper Matt Blank, Greenblatt said that one of the pilots could turn into an on-air series before year's end and possibly as early as the summer. A deal for another pilot, set and shot in New York, also was close to being sealed, Greenblatt said.

But executives also said that with so many returning shows and at least one of the new round of pilots likely to go to series, the pace of development might slow down.

"We're getting there", Greenblatt said when asked whether the network was near its ceiling. The executive said that Showtime considered whether to bring back or shelve the political drama "Brotherhood", which would have opened up a slot, before opting to renew it.

Showtime has given a pilot order to the Tim Robbins drama Possible Side Effects.

Robbins wrote and will direct the pilot of the hourlong project, which centers on a family that runs a pharmaceutical company. He also is executive producing with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Daniel Thomas but will not be starring.

In addition to exploring the relationships of the dysfunctional family at the center of the drama, the project will examine the political, scientific and bureaucratic machinery that makes up the pharmaceutical industry.

Effects joins another pilot at Showtime, The United States of Tara. The single-camera comedy, from Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television, centers on a mother with multiple-personality syndrome. It was picked up in July.

It's understood that Showtime Networks president of entertainment Robert Greenblatt is looking over other pilot possibilities in addition to the two already ordered.

Showtime is gaining buzz in the drama arena with shows like Dexter. The series, starring Michael C. Hall, broke a record for the network with its second-season bow Sunday, averaging more than 1 million viewers -- a first for a Showtime season premiere.