Hurricane Irene: Broadway Shows Will Not Go Dark

As New York City readies for Hurricane Irene, that hasn't stopped Broadway shows from continue as scheduled.our editor recommendsBox Office Preview: East Coast Theaters Brace for Hurricane IreneHurricane Irene Bumps Up Ratings, Web Traffic for The Weather ChannelHurricane Irene: FEMA Urges People to Tweet, FacebookHurricane Irene: Hollywood ReactsHurricane Irene: Networks Interrupt Programming for President Obama's Address The Broadway League said on Friday that all Broadway shows that are scheduled to play this weekend will go on as scheduled, the Associated Press reports. The Off-Broadway League also added that it had not been notified of any cancellations due to the impending storm. The New York International Fringe Festival, however, canceled all of its festivities set to take place on Sunday, which included its closing night event. Early Friday afternoon, festival organizers issued a statement saying all of the shows set to take place on Saturday have also been canceled. "Due to the necessity of shutting down subways as of noon on Saturday, as well as keeping the roads clear for those under mandatory evacuation orders, all Saturday and Sunday performances of FringeNYC shows are cancelled," the statement read. Hurricane Irene is expected to hit North Carolina on Saturday before moving its way up the East Coast, causing the National Weather Service to issue a hurricane watch for the Big Apple. The hurricane could hit near New York City by Sunday. Hurricane Irene could potentially put a dent in the domestic box office this weekend, with the Washington D.C. area expected to have torrential rains and dangerous winds beginning Saturday. On Thursday, Mayor Bloomberg told city residents to be prepared to evacuate the city and ordered evacuations of nursing homes and five hospitals in low-lying areas on Friday. The subway system would also be shut down on Saturday. Distribution executives said that it would undoubtedly be a tough weekend in the box office, with major studios in less of a bind than the independents. "I'd hate to be opening a movie now," said one studio executive. Several events have been canceled due to the hurricane. The Afro-Punk Music Festival, set to take place Saturday and Sunday in Commodore Barry Park, was canceled after the city rescinded event permits. Related Topics

Disney Announces Two New Pixar Films

The first movie is set for 2014and looks inside people'sminds. Directed by Peter Docter, the Academy Award-winning director of Up, the new Pixar toon is just starting its designs and sets and anticipating castings.The other movie is about dinosaurs set sometime in the future. Director Bob Petersonwasinspired by his childhoodvisit to the 1964 New York World's Fairwhere he saw animatronic dinosaurs.Disney made today's announcements to 4,200 fansin Anaheim Convention Center as part of its 'D23 Expo'this weekendthat brings all things Disney under one roof:Parks &Resorts, Consumer Products, Media Networks, and of coursethe Studio.D23 is the first official Disney fan club and the expo takesplace every other year.This year's arena presentation was hosted byby Walt Disney Studios Chairman Rich Ross andfeatured John Lasseter from Pixar, Kevin Feige from Marvel, Sean Bailey from Walt Disney Studios and talent fromupcoming films from animation, Marvel, and Disney live action.More details and interviews later today.

Berman, Tolan team for ABC drama

BermanTolan"Drop Dead Diva" creator Josh Berman and Peter Tolan are teaming on a drama project for ABC and Sony Pictures Television. In addition, the Alphabet picked up a script from its ABC Studios from "Detroit 1-8-7" executive producers David Zabel and Jason Richman. Both script orders were confirmed by ABC. Berman's project, which was sold with a penalty attached, is about a female FBI profiler who teams up with a homicide detective for the first time since he left her at the altar after coming out of the closet. Berman is writing the script and will exec produce with Tolan; both are under overall deals with Sony. In addition to creating "Diva" for Lifetime, Berman is a former executive producer at CBS' "CSI" and a writer/consulting producer for Fox's "Bones." Tolan already has another script in play at Fox, an ensemble comedy with producing partner Michael Wimer and DJ Nash ("Til Death") Richman's drama script is a "Sliding Doors"-style examination of a woman on her wedding day struggling with doubts as to whether she's making the right decision. Viewers will see two different versions of how her life would play out. Zabel already has another script with ABC Studios set up at the Alphabet, a Western called "Gunslinger." He was previously an exec producer on NBC's "ER" from 2005-09. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Republican Presidential Debate Scores Large Rankings For Fox News Funnel

There is something warmer than fried butter on the stick being released of Iowa now -- Fox News Channel's rankings for last night's Republican Presidential Debate. Both-hour debate came 5.a million audiences, 1.4 million of these within the 25-54 demographic. It had been undoubtedly the greatest ranked presidential debate this season -Up 55% in audiences and 67% in 25-54 in the May 5 debate on FNC or more 158% in audiences and 178% in 25-54 in comparison towards the May 13 debate on CNN. FNC clearly centered the 9-11 PM primetime block last evening. Listed here are the amounts: P 2+ P 25-54 Network Time AA (000) AA (000) FOXN 9P -11P 5053 1432 CNN 9P -11P 667 233 MSNB 9P -11P 756 239 CNBC 9P -11P 102 27 HLN 9P -11P 560 158

'Resident Evil 5' Ready for More Zombie Action

You can't keep a good zombie killer down. Alice, everybody's favorite slaughterer of the undead, will be returning to the big screen next year in the fifth episode of the franchise, which is titled 'Resident Evil: Retribution.' Much of this isn't news -- star Milla Jovovich tweeted that info last May. But now that Tweet has been confirmed by Bloody Disgusting. Director (and Jovovich hubby) Paul W.S. Anderson will again write the film and take the helm, this time moving the action to Tokyo, where Alice will go to seek revenge on the evil Umbrella Corporation. And Sienna Guillory will be returning as Jill Valentine, although Bloody Disgusting says that they hear she will be recast. Ali Larter also is in line to return. Shooting will begin this October. Though the films have come in for some hard knocks with critics and some horror-sci-fi fans, you can't knock success -- the series has taken in north of $700 million worldwide. Disclaimer: We've been a big fan from Day One.

Bruce Willis Drafted For 'G.I. Joe' Sequel

Fighting for freedom wherever there's trouble, Bruce Willis is there! The "Die Hard" hero has been drafted for a starring role in "G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation," previously known as "Cobra Strikes." According to The Hollywood Reporter, Willis is in negotiations to play General Joe Colton, considered to be the founder of the Joe squad. The character never appeared in the original "Joe" cartoons, and he'll make his live-action debut with the sequel. Given Colton's high rank, it's likely that Willis' role is lighter on the combat side and heavier on barking the orders that make the action happen. In fact, on the surface, the Colton role sounds pretty similar to the one occupied by Dennis Quaid in the first "G.I. Joe" movie. He played General Hawk, then commander of the team; there's been no word on whether or not Quaid's returning for a sequel, though, so perhaps he was flushed out (and replaced by Willis) alongside most of the original movie's cast, a mass-exodus that was previously reported. Still, even with a serious overhaul that's left only a handful of returning "Joe" players in place Channing Tatum and Ray Park among them you can't say that "Retaliation" lacks star power. Aside from Willis' recent enlistment, the "Joe" sequel also has room for Dwayne Johnson, RZA, Ray Stevenson and one-time "Wonder Woman" heroine Adrianne Palicki. And if the cast doesn't do it for you, never forget: there will be ninjas. Many, many, ninjas. See below for proof: With a June 29, 2012 release date already set, it won't be too long before the real American heroes swing back into battle over land, sea and air. Tell us what you think of the news in the comments section and on Twitter!

Hot Fake Trailer: 'Our Idiot Brother' Star Paul Rudd Pitches To Harvey Weinstein

Movie companies recently happen to be approaching with as they are methods to spread the term on the movies, such as the promo that Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman designed for The Modification-Up, or even the musical that Final Destination five star Miles Fisher designed to promote this Friday's opening. Rarely do these viral efforts feature the mind of the studio. But Paul Rudd got Harvey Weinstein to get familiar with a Funnyordie.com bit where the actor subjects Weinsein towards the worst marketing ideas ever to market the film that Weinstein acquired in Sundance. While Weinstein was stated to possess been an inspiration for Cruise manic L'ensemble des Grossman character in Tropic Thunder, the actual Harvey really appears quite a calm screen presence. Paul Rudd Pitches Harvey Weinstein from Paul Rudd