Julia Roberts to Produce, Star in Workplace Comedy 'Second Act' (Exclusive)

In the current issue of The Hollywood Reporter, senior film reporter Pamela McClintock sat down with the notoriously press-shy Christian Bale, 37,and famed 60-year-old Chinese director Zhang Yimou(Raise the Red Lantern), who together just finished making the most expensive Chinese movie ever, the historical epic, The Flowers of War. The movie centers on Bale as a mourning American mortician who seeks refuge in a Catholic cathedral and finds himself in the middle of a war, in a story based on the Rape of Nanking, the brutal invasion of Nanking by the Japanese army in 1937. The movie will be released for one week in America in late December; it premieres in China on Dec. 16. In this exclusive interview, the men, who clearly like each other enormously, reveal how an American actor came to be the star of a Chinese major motion picture, Bale's 20-year fascination with the director, and how they overcame cultural and language barriers.our editor recommends'Flowers of War' Trailer: Christian Bale Protects Girls From Invading Japanese in 1937 China (Video)Christian Bale Chinese Epic 'Flowers of War' Nears U.S. Distribution Deal (Exclusive)'The Dark Knight Rises' Marks the End of Christian Bale's Batman EraHow Christian Bale Is Raising the Bar in ChinaZhang Yimou To Be Honored at Asia Pacific Screen AwardsChina Chooses Zhang Yimou's Christian Bale starrer 'Flowers of War' for Oscar Foreign Language SubmissionToronto 2011: Top U.S. Buyers Get First Glimpse of Christian Bale's 'The Flowers of War' PHOTOS: The Christian Bale Directors Posse: 6 Auteurs Won Over By the Actor BALE SAYS SIGNING ON TO THE FILM WAS A 'NO-BRAINER' With a penchant for demanding and far-flung assignments, Bale says he quickly accepted the offer to star in Zhang's epic when it came to him through his William Morris Endeavor agentsPatrick WhitesellandBoomer Malkin, even though he spoke no Mandarin (Mou Mou translated on the set)."Some people scratched their heads when I told them I wanted to do the project and said, 'Really, why?' I don't understand that sort of thinking," says Bale. "I like the adventure aspect of making movies, so the opportunity to work in China, not on an American movie, but on a Chinese movie, really appealed to me. How many times do you get that sort of opportunity, and on top of that, get to work with a fantastic director? It was a no-brainer."Says Whitesell: "One of the reasons I was excited was that this will up Christian's exposure in China. It could be China'sSaving Private Ryan." PHOTOS: First Look On the Set of 'The Dark Knight Rises' Bale was in the midst of preparing for the release ofThe Fighterwhen he received the script, and was immediately drawn in by the story."This was a very poignant and painful moment in Chinese history and I was drawn to the radical difference between the atrocities that happen, versus the incredible humanity that emerges," Bale says. "Yimou and I had spoken a little about the character, and this was not a guy who was a hero from the get-go, this was a guy who really just wanted to have a good time in China and make a buck." PHOTOS: 10 Top Summer Superheroes Of All Time WHY BALE WAS UNNERVED WHEN HE GOT TO THE SET Bale was baffled to find stone-cold silence when he arrived on the set of Yimou's $100 million historical epicThe Flowers of Warin January. After the 14-hour flight from Los Angeles to Nanjing, China, Bale found it downright unnerving. Sets are usually noisy hubs, not mausoleums."There were a couple of hundred people just staring at me. Even Yimou was whispering. I thought to myself, 'I guess this is how it's done in China,' " Bale recalls. "It turns out they'd all gotten together the day before and said that in the States, everybody is quiet on the set. I told them, 'Please, start shouting.' " One of the more awkward moments of the shoot came when Zhang asked Bale if he would instruct the first-time actors. Bale was stunned, since no director he's ever worked with would tolerate such an intrusion."Yimou explained that it's different in China, and that the more experienced actor is considered rude if he or she doesn't tell a less-experienced actor how to do a scene," Bale says. "What we had was a culture clash of what's acceptable, and what's not. I mean for me to tread on Yimou's toes would be incredibly arrogant. I just couldn't do it. At the same time, I didn't want to be perceived as being rude myself."Bale came up with a plan -- he was willing to leave the set and speak to an actor, but only if Zhang came along. VIDEO: 'Flowers of War' Trailer HOW ZHANG CONVINCED THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO GREEN LIGHT HIS SENSITIVE-SUBJECT FILM Over the years, Zhang has had his issues with the Chinese government -- several of his films were banned -- and on its face,Flowers of Warwas potentially problematic."This is not the sort of mainstream movie the Chinese government would usually approve," Zhang says."The story of the Rape of Nanking has been told before in films, and is a very political and serious subject," Zhang says, "but what intrigued me about this story was that it's actually told from the female perspective, so it's more humane and has a personal touch."Zhang researched the Rape of Nanking for more than three years, and some of the film's more graphic scenes were drawn from actual photographs, while the movie itself was based on Geling Yan's novelThe 13 Women of Nanjing. "Topics about foreigners, about religion and about World War II are not well-received by the government, but because this movie is about who we are as humans, and what we would do to save other people, the government actually supported it." STORY: Christian Bale Goes to China STEVEN SPIELBERG AND DAVID LINDE BOTH RECOMMENDED BALE TO ZHANG Zhang Yimou and producing partnerZhang Weiping knew from the start that they would need to land a Western actor to play the central character in the book. (Westerners played a crucial role in documenting the invasion of Nanking since the Japanese were not targeting them and they could evade danger and even get out.).Bale was at the top of the list, based on his ability to adapt and be completely in tune with new situations. Steven Spielberg, who had cast Bale inEmpire of the Sunyears earlier, also recommended the actor to his friend Zhang Yimou. Zhang is certain of one thing -- Bale is about to become famous at the Chinese box office. Many of the actor's films haven't been released in theaters there, includingThe Dark KnightandThe Fighter, although Bale reports with a laugh that pirated copies of both films were widely available on the streets of Nanjing.Indeed, the first time Zhang watched a copy ofThe Fighter, the subtitles were botched. After he was done shootingFlowers of War, he watched another copy. This time, the subtitles were right.With a glint returning to his eye, and the end to the interview at the Montage approaching, Zhang tells Bale: "I regret that I didn't seeThe Fighterwith the good subtitles the first time. Your performance was so good, I would have added more scenes for you inFlowers of War." STORY: Top U.S. Buyers Get First Glimpse of Christian Bale's 'The Flowers of War' WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HOLLYWOOD AND CHINA China's cash-flush film industry and box office are exploding, and Hollywood is feverishly trying to gain entry to a marketplace severely restricted by the government's quota limiting the annual number of Western films to 20.IfFlowers of Warworks, a whole new revenue stream could open up for Western actors (not to mention producers, directors and writers). At a $100 million budget, Zhang's movie is the most expensive production ever mounted in China, and Bale likely received millions for his work and perhaps a piece of the back end in an era of shrinking U.S. budgets.For their part, Hollywood studios have been busy focusing on striking co-production partnerships with Chinese film companies, such as Legendary Pictures' newly announced pact with Huayi Brothers and the creation of Legendary East. The first project is theEdward Zwick-directedThe Great Wall, which won't be subject to the quota."China is the fastest-growing market in the world. Co-productions are advantageous both for revenue share purposes and the challenges of the quota system," says Sanford Panitch, president of Fox International Productions, which has made four films in China with a local partner, including box-office hitsHot Summer Daysand its sequelLove in Space. Intentions are one thing, carrying out that vision is another. American audiences are notoriously finicky about watching a movie with subtitles, even if that movie stars a famous actor and is 40 percent in English. (The highest-grossing Chinese movie to date is 2000'sCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which earned $128.1 million domestically.) PHOTOS: Hollywood's Top 10 Grossing Films WHAT'S NEXT FOR BALE The interview took place just three days after Balewrapped production onthe last Batman movie,The Dark Knight Rises, shot in India, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and NY City.But the actor isn't fazed by the end of the Batman franchise, and already has moved on. "I'm not really thinking about what's next. Butthere's a couple of projects I'm doing withTerrence Malick, but it won't befor a while. So I'm going to have a little bit of a break." ZHANG YIMOU'S WORLDWIDE BOX-OFFICE TALLY: Ju Dou, raise the Red Lantern and hero were the first Chinese films nominated for foreign language Oscar Hero(2002) -- $177.4 million House of Flying Daggers(2004) -- $92.9 million Curse of the Golden Flower(2006) -- $78.6 million Raise the Red Lantern(1991) -- $2.6 million (U.S. Only) Ju Dou(1990) -- $2 million (U.S. only) To read the complete THR cover story, click here PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 'The Dark Knight Rises' First Look: On the Set Related Topics Steven Spielberg Christian Bale The Dark Knight Rises Zhang Yimou

Rhianna Unveils She Posed Nude for Tony Bennett

Getty The The American Idol Show Show alums Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina experienced performance malfunctions at two broadly-seen occasions on Thanksgiving.our editor recommendsChris Daughtry Versus Scotty McCreery: A National Anthem Throwdown (Video)'American Idol's Scotty McCreery Flubs National Anthem at World Series (Video)'American Idol': With Scotty McCreery's Effective Debut, Did Universal Study On Sony's Mistakes? 'American Idol's' Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina to Premiere New Videos on CMTLauren Alaina Talks 'Wildflower,' Barbara Underwood, 'American Idol' Tour Occurrences McCreery, the latest champion of Fox's singing competition, was caught lip-syncing at Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade when the vocals to "The Issue With FemalesInch began several seconds before he put the microphone near his mouth. NBC cut from the detailed-in the singer, who retrieved enough to accomplish the song with time while using recorded music. PHOTOS: Famous Flubs in the National Anthem Alaina's goof happened while singing the "Star Spangled Banner" within the Detroit Lions/Eco-friendly Bay Packers game, broadcast on Fox. The Summer Season 10 runner-up started off adequate however, if she arrived at the street, "What so happily we recognized within the twilight's last gleaming," she stopped midway through, enabling a few beats of silence to feed before she began again. Fox commentator Joe Buck stated following a performance, "It's about how you finish." PHOTOS: 'American Idol' Season 10 Finale Alaina later tweeted, "I'm not just a robot. I have No excuses. I messed up. You know what happens can ya do. No Less Than didn't fall lower again" and "Thanks everyone for your kind words. However messed up. I'm gonna spend the comfort throughout your day being grateful for individuals my benefits." Alaina joins a extended kind of entertainers who've goofed throughout national anthem performances. McCreery restarted his version in the song through the planet Series in March., Christina Aguilera confused lyrics as of this year's Super Bowl, and Cyndi Lauper botched the song at tennis' U.S. Open in Sept., to title a few. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 'American Idol Live' Tour In Pictures The The American Idol Show Show Lauren Alaina Scotty McCreery

NBC Gives 'Grimm' a Full-Season Order

"Grimm" NBC has given freshman fairy tale procedural Grimm a full-season order. "We are very pleased to be making a full-season commitment for 'Grimm,'" NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said in announcing the news Monday. "This series is turning the traditional procedural drama on its head and is attracting a loyal following for us on Friday nights. We love where it's going creatively and we're excited to deliver more episodes to our audience." In addition, the network will test the fantasy starring David Giuntoli, Bitsie Tulloch, Silas Weir Mitchell, Sasha Roiz and Russell Hornsby on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. The news comes days after the network ordered additional scipts of the series, from Universal Television and Buffy scribes David Greenwalt and Jim Kouf. Since launching amid heavy competition in the Friday at 9 p.m. slot, Grimm has averaged a 2.3 rating/7 share in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic, drawing 6.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen. When factoring in Live Plus Seven results for its Oct. 28 premiere -- where it faced stiff competition from Game 7 of the World Series -- Grimm is the No. 1 new drama so far this season, growing 47 percent in the demo. Grimm

Netflix $200M Convertible Debt Purchase Transmits Shares Lower After Hrs

The DVD rental and video streaming clients are selling the notes to Technology Crossover Endeavors. They may be changed into equity once they mature at the end of 2018, that could require Netflix to problem 2.33M shares. That meansDollar85.81 a share, just 15% a lot more than the closing cost on Monday — and far in the nearly $300 the stock fetched as lately as mid-This summer. The offer also gives TCV the authority to title one board member it chose Jay Hoag,a TCV founding general partner who’s already a Netflix director. This news didn’t sit well with traders: Netflix,that was lower 4.6% throughout the buying and selling day, fell one more 2% in initial publish market activity. A prospectus that Netflix released with the cope with TCV noted that could require video company “to dedicate some in our income from procedures to obligations on our indebtedness, therefore lowering the accessibility to income to finance capital, capital costs, purchases and opportunities along with other general corporate reasons.” Additionally, it noted that the organization lost more customers of computer expected after This summer if this introduced a 60% cost increase for individuals who wish to still rent Dvd disks and stream videos. The setback together with the growing obligations for content “will likely keep having a bad effect on our outcomes of procedures. As not able to correct the harm to the logo and reverse negative customer growth inside our domestic segment, our outcomes of procedures, including income, is going to be negatively affected.”

Ough Gervais On Coming back As Golden Globes Host: Its Certainly The Ultimate Time

Soon after his questionable second turn as host from the Golden Globes last The month of january, Ough Gervais announced he shouldn’t and wouldn’t try it again. Now he's doing the work, mainly to “shut up all individuals fucking idiots who stated which i’d not be asked back,” he authored on his blog. And the third stint will “definitely” be his last. Approximately he states. Here's Gervais’ publish: Therefore it appears like I’m hosting The Golden Globes for any third and certainly final time. It had been a difficult decision to tell the truth. There have been many benefits and drawbacks. I loved doing the work, however i was worried which i couldn’t enhance this past year. I’m in LA anyway when i’m starting Existence’s Way Too Short on Cinemax. However I didn’t want the Globes to overshadow the series. I understood many people could be uncomfortable beside me being host. (It was a professional incidentally.) What really expected the total amount making me say yes, was the truth that it might shut up all individuals fucking idiots who stated which i’d not be asked back. Would be that the wrong reason to behave? ' '. I believe it's. Now here’s the one thing. The outrage I triggered was obviously, as always, totally from proportion towards the a few things i stated. I don’t think anybody had any to be upset however they were. This season I’m will make sure their offence is totally justified. The very best factor about this is writing the gags. I really like writing one inserts. Specially when they can’t be utilized in a other context. It provides them a unique weight to the evening if guess what happens I am talking about.

Kermit on Jason Segel's Nude Scene: He Had 'Shortcomings' [VIDEO]

.post-content img {display:none;} The Muppets aren't exactly known for their risqué humor. Sure, they've been known to toss a bone to the adults in the room, but you rarely hear anything that wouldn't score a hard G from the MPAA. Which makes this sneak peek of Moviefone's upcoming 'Muppets' Unscripted session all the more surprising (and hilarious). It starts when Kermit relays a fan question about actor (and 'Muppets' screenwriter) Jason Segel's full-frontal nude scene in 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' and evolves into a fuzz-raising discussion of nudity on camera. Kermit even works in a joke about the size of Segel's, um, manhood. Seriously. Check back Friday, Sunday night, and Monday for more from Moviefone's Muppets Unscripted session. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Immortals Tops Jack and Jill in the Box Office

Henry Cavill Immortals slaughtered this area office competition in the first weekend of release, grossing an believed $32 million, Box Office Mojo reviews. Adam Sandler's latest film, Jack and Jill, chuckled up $26 million in the opening weekend. In the third week out, Puss in Boots was getting upset at Sandler's heels with $25.5 million after three weekends, its take totals $108.8 million. Box office: Puss in Boots stomps on Tower Heist, Harold & Kumar Tower Heist required 4th place with $13.two million. The weekend's third new film, J. Edgar, opened to $11.4 million. At No. 6, A Really Harold & Kumar three dimensional Christmas attracted $5.9 million. Over Time came $4.a million in the future in seventh. Rounding the top ten: Paranormal Activity 3 (No. 8, $3.six million, breaking $100 million after four days), Footloose (No. 9, $2.7 million) and Real Steel (No. 10, $two million).