Redford applauds name helmers' return to Sundance

Robert Redford isn't crazy about the hype that Sundance has gathered over the years, but if it brings attention to independent filmmakers, well ... he'll live with it. "The festival has gotten to a point where there's a great deal of hype," Redford said during a relaxed news conference to kick off the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. In a Q&A with the audience, the Sundance founder showed some genuine optimism for the future of the independent film world, particularly as digital platforms and alternative distribution begin to attract well-known filmmakers back into the fold. "With the collapsing of the mainstream (studio system), with the business changing so radically, what I'm seeing now is that the independent film category is growing," Redford said. "People who used to work in the mainstream are coming to independent work. For example, in this festival, you have Spike Lee, you have Stephen Frears." But he's never been comfortable with what he calls "leveragers" -- people who come to the fest to advance their agendas beyond support of independent films. "Now, it's a free country, there's nothing we can do about that," Redford said. "But we are a nonprofit, and there's very little that we can control. But we have to work harder and harder to point that out ... sometimes it's been hard for me." Redford didn't specify the sources of his irritation -- too much corporate sponsorship? The Occupy movement, which planned to demonstrate in Park City this year? -- but he didn't waste an opportunity to get an off-topic agenda off his chest. "In terms of Mitt Romney I'm not gonna get into politics. The fact is you can see with the debates going on, this mushroom cloud of ego hovering over everybody. It's kind of silly and stupid, and I'm sorry about it." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Jon Landau On Avatar 2's Release Date

Pushed back or not?So there are reports today that Jon Landau has announced that the release date for Avatar 2 is going to be 2016 rather than the previously-announced 2014 date with by a third instalment in 2015. The thing is, when we asked him just the other day, he denied that delay.At the event we attended, Landau made an offhand remark about Avatar 2 being "four years out" - so we followed up to check, since that's not in line with the previously announced plans. Would it be four more years, and therefore 2016? Or the dates we'd heard before?He replied, "It's in that window, '14, '15."Now this isn't to say that the second film won't be more like 2015 than 2014, given that - as far as we know - there's no completed script yet for performance-capture to begin, James Cameron's currently working on other things (including the Titanic 3D release in April) and the films are hugely effects-heavy which will necessitate enormous amounts of digital production work. One might reasonably speculate that Landau, like many of us, is still thinking of 2011 when he thinks of the date, and is currently envisaging a 2015 release date for the second film, something that would explain both his first remark and his clarification.But to say that Landau is now talking about a 2016 release for the second film is simply not warranted at the moment, so let's just bear that in mind, eh? It may still happen - but that's not what he's saying at this stage.To keep you going in the meantime, Titanic 3D will hit screens on April 6, just in time for the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship and 15 years after the film's original release. From the converted scenes we've seen, it's going to be the best post-conversion you've ever laid eyes on.

Avengers concept art lands online

While using April release date nearby, excitement levels for your Avengers are beginning to attain fever help the whole Film office. Consider our delight then, once we happened across this leaked little bit of concept art for your super-team's Quinjet!The Quinjet is an element of SHIELD's airborne toolbox, a kind of modified fighter jet, employed by SHIELD agents inside the comics, and every once in awhile with the Avengers themselves.The completely new image looks to demonstrate a relatively faithful representation in the vehicle, which looks a lot more badass than Batman's new aircraft. Rumour has it the Helicarrier may also be set to appear within the role as SHIELD's mobile aircraft company.For who certainly are becoming their at work the Quinjet, the smart money is on Hawkeye, most notoriously as they appears being using some form of cockpit inside the above image.The Avengers may come raging into Uk cinemas on 27 April 2012. We could hardly wait...

Andy Cohen Defends Bravo's Handling of Russell Armstrong's Suicide on Real Regular folks

Andy Cohen, Russell Remedy Under five several days following a suicide of Real Regular folks of Beverly Slopes husband Russell Remedy, executive producer and Bravo executive Andy Cohen defended how a show handled the issue at Bravo's winter TV previews Saturday. "In my opinion what emerged can be a story from the lady trying to extricate herself in the marriage, through which she was unhappy, through which domestic violence was playing an element,In . Cohen told reporters. Russell Remedy, husband of Real Housewives' Taylor, commits suicide Remedy committed suicide in August after wife Taylor Remedy declared divorce within this summer time among accusations of physical abuse. Following his suicide, Russell Armstrong's mother, John Ann Hotchkiss, mentioned in September they thought the reality series "introduced him lower" and states he shared with her he was very worried about how he'd be referred to in Season 2. "[He mentioned,] 'Mom, they're just prone to crucify me this season.A Which he mentioned, 'I do not get seem advice. I'll never survive it.'" "He was presented with careful analysis return or else return which he thought we would return [for Season 2]," Cohen mentioned Saturday, adding that Remedy spoke to producers about how precisely much the show had aided his business. The show was, however, re-edited before its September premiere. (A scene showing Taylor lingerie shopping to enhance the couple's sex existence, for instance, was cut.) Subsequent episodes have proven Russell and Taylor's therapy periods and numerous verbal arguments together, additionally to conflict between Russell along with a couple of from the other cast people. Within the latest episode, Taylor was heard around the telephone proclaiming that co-stars that her marriage was over. When speaking in regards to the development of Bravo's late-evening series, Watch What Continues: Live, Cohen spoken about ending up in Taylor round the normally light enter for the reason that that was among her first interviews since the suicide. "A Few Things I preferred to complete was take care of the integrity from the products perform on Watch What Continues: Live, that which you do is fun," Cohen mentioned. "It was a interview that was serious, and he or she also preferred to have a great time. ... Nevertheless the audience hadn't really seen her much. It was not always a period of time being fun." Real Regular folks of Beverly Hills' Taylor Remedy splits from husband The compromise? The initial 10 mins of Armstrong's sit-lower was somber just before the show segued into among its signature WWHL games. Cohen also mentioned the arrival Real Regular folks of Beverly Slopes Season 2 reunion, which was shot this year's week, will address Russell's suicide much more. "We discussed everything serious you could imagine." The Particular Regular folks of Beverly Slopes airs Mondays at 9/8c on Bravo.

Exclusive Project Runway All Stars Start Looking: New Host, No Immunity

Austin Scarlett Can Austin Scarlett finally sew up victory on Project Runway? Or perhaps is it Mondo Guerra's use decide to try the victory catwalk? On Thursday at 9/8c on Lifetime, Project Runway returns having a special All Stars edition that returns 13 designers. With a brand new host, supermodel Angela Lindvall, idol judges - design icon Isaac Mizrahi and Marchesa co-founder Georgina Chapman - and Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles as mentor, Project Runway won't look different but feel different too. Project Runway's Anya: I did not think I'd win Read this exclusive start looking at Project Runway All Stars where the designers meet Lindvall the very first time, she stops working probably the most lucrative awards in Project Runway history, Scarlett sports a really Rhett Butler-esque mustache ... and, uh-oh, it's introduced that there are no immunity! A rundown from the coming back all-stars:Kenley Collins - Season 5Michael Costello - Season 8Gordana Gehlhausen - Season 6Mondo Guerra - Season 8Mila Hermanovski - Season 7Kara Janx - Season 2Elisa Jimenez - Season 4April Johnston - Season 8Rami Kashou - Season 4Austin Scarlett - Season 1Jerell Scott - Season 5Sweet P/Kathleen Vaughn - Season 4Anthony Williams - Season 7 Project Runway All Stars premieres on Thursday at 9/8c on Lifetime.