The 72-year-old actor will be paid $125,000 a week for playing washed-up real estate huckster Shelly Levene.
Pacino also starred in the 1992 film version, but played the role of Ricky Roma. This time around, Pacino will play washed-up real estate peddler Shelly Levene, played by Jack Lemmon in the film.
Tony-winner Bobby Cannavale plays Ricky Roma, the role that earned Pacino an Academy Award nomination in the 1992 film.
But Cannavale won't be making anywhere near what Pacino is earning each week.
"Weekly salaries for all seven actors in the cast total $155,000. That leaves six actors -- including Bobby Cannavale, a Tony Award nominee last year -- to divide up about $30,000 per week," reports Bloomberg, adding "For the 10-week run of David Mamet’s drama about sniping, struggling Chicago scam artists, Pacino is also entitled to 5 percent of profits."
"Pacino’s pay tops that of Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, who each were paid $100,000 a week plus a sliver of profits when they returned to “The Producers” for three months in 2004" a member of the show’s production team revealed to Bloomberg.
Pacino's pay is on par with other big names at the box office: "In 2009’s “A Steady Rain,” Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig each earned as much as $120,000 per week or 10 percent of the box office," added the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The production pays Pacino’s assistant $1,000 a week and $2,850 for local transportation for two actors.
A veteran press agent earns $2,300 weekly for handling publicity.
The three lead producers also earn a onetime production fee of $20,000, plus 3 percent of box office, plus $3,600 a week for what’s listed as an executive producer fee and office fee.
Theater expenses -- including rent, stagehands and 7 percent of box office -- amount to about $110,000 for a $491,000 week at the box office.
But the current revival is already off to a strong start.
"Sales were $704,000 for the first four previews, according to a trade group, the Broadway League, or about $630,000 after deducting for credit card and other commissions," reports Bloomberg. "That’s above the $491,295 the production estimated it needs to pay weekly expenses for each seven-performance week."
Looks like Pacino is worth the pricey penny.
Watch Pacino in his Oscar-nominated role as Ricky Roma in the 1992 film version of "GlenGarry Glen Ross":
Ad packages for the AMC zombie thriller "The Walking Dead" cost as much as $375,000, an amount on par with primetime network programs like "Modern Family" and "American Idol," according to Ad Age.
The price of ad packages for the third season of "The Walking Dead" start between $200,000 and $260,000 and go up to $375,000 for advertisers that buy closer to air time.
So far this season, viewership for "The Walking Dead" has been between 9 million and 11 million, which is comparable to primetime viewership numbers, such as for "Modern Family," which got 12.2 million viewers last week.
In fact, some people think "Modern Family" and "Walking Dead" are more similar than alike.
Brad Ricca, a cultural critic interviewed by AdAge, said "... it is the same drama of straining marriages, growing up, and family skirmishes. The only difference is every so often zombies show up and this 'family' shoots them with crossbows."
Author Dave Eggers’ “90 Days, 90 Reasons,” an online collection of mini-essays by the famous and semi-famous celebrating the presidency of Barack Obama, may be even more insufferable than it sounds.
Our friend Mike Riggs has already done a solid job cataloging some of the propaganda website’s most cringeworthy moments, but given the amount of just godawful content over there, we thought we’d step in to help raise awareness of this self-righteous monster of a project’s greatest hits.
Here now are the 10 worst moments of “90 Days, 90 Reasons,” perhaps the best reason we’ve seen to vote Republican in 2012.
Jesse Eisenberg
Jesse Eisenberg’s post arguing that Obama is great because he likes to travel is marvelously out of touch. Best line: “I’m travelling through Mongolia and currently staying in a yurt.”
Jim James
“My Morning Jacket” singer Jim James’ post is called “Barack Obama is not a robot”, and while most celebrities at least try to make an argument, James just tells the story of the time he met the president. Best line: “It was FREEZING cold outside but obviously everyone was excited at the prospect of meeting the PREZ.”
Elizabeth Gilbert
"Eat Pray Love" author Elizabeth Gilbert’s love letter to/statist rant in favor of President Obama is equal parts nutty and gross. Best line: “Look to your leader, and emulate his behavior.”
Before they were headlining movies and TV shows, these celebs were just like everyone else trying to make it in Hollywood: thrilled to call home to report that the “Flight Attendant #3” role was totally in the bag.
Check out a few of today’s big names back when they were cast as no-names.
Jason Segel as 'Watermelon Guy' in 'Can’t Hardly Wait'
Cooley, who originally appeared on "Real World: Chicago" in 2002, alleged that two other contestants raped her with a toothbrush, and says she was a victim of repeated acts of sexual abuse throughout production.
But MTV didn't buy Cooley's claims, and the network countered that Cooley failed to take advantage of its "open-door policy with complaint procedures."
MTV, along with parent company Viacom and production company Bunim-Murray, drove home their point by stating, according to Viacom's papers:
"In addition to failing to avail herself of VMN's policies and complaint procedures, Plaintiff failed to avoid the injuries of which she complains. For example, while she was a contestant on The Ruins, Plaintiff was frequently intoxicated (to an extent far greater than other contestants), rowdy, combative, flirtatious and on multiple occasions intentionally exposed her bare breasts and genitalia to other contestants."
Cooley, who went on to pose for Playboy and appeared in an episode of the Cinemax adult series "The Erotic Traveler," insisted that her antics were the result of producers supplying contestants with unlimited alcoholic beverages, further encouraging scandalous behavior.
And now, a year after Cooley initially filed the complaint, the reality TV contestent and Viacom/Bunim Murray Productions "have informed the judge that the dispute has been resolved and have asked for a stay for time to effectuate the resolution," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Details of the settlement have not been made public.
Lena Dunham, creator of HBO's "Girls," shot this ad for President Obama's election campaign ... and she uses the spot to make a sex joke. "Your first time shouldn't be with just anybody. You want to do it with a great guy," she says. She's talking about voting, of course.
Former "Man Show" host and current podcast host Adam Carolla will now be an official contributor for Fox News, where he will appear on "The O'Reilly Factor" weekly, as well as other shows occasionally.
Matthew Vaughnis out as director of "X-Men: First Class Sequel," despite having directed "X-Men: First Class" and writing the treatment for its sequel, "Days of Future Past." Bryan Singer, who directed the first two "X-Men" films, is in talks to be the replacement.
Jessica Bielwill be taking Justin Timberlake's last name. The actress has revealed that she plans to legally become “Jessica Timberlake,” but will still keep her maiden name professionally. “I think I really won the jackpot of names," Biel told People.
With Election Day less than two weeks away, it's time to turn off the cable news and roll up the newspaper, because the best source of political news is arriving in 140 characters.
The savviest political reporters and analysts are increasingly turning to Twitter to promote their scoops, unveil fresh Gallup polling, or offer their own real-time analysis of the stretch run between President Obama and former Gov. Mitt Romney. Ryan Lizza and Nate Silver may not be household names, but any self-respecting political junkie should add them to the Twitter feed or risk being a step behind on the latest from the campaign trail.
They're not the only ones with opinions worthy of being microblogged. There are also Hollywood stars including Alec Baldwin and Albert Brooks, who offer a unique perspective on the absurdities of the modern-day political process.
Alec Baldwin (@ABFalecbaldwin)
Why you should follow: You never know which Alec you’re going to get: The firebrand who slugs it out with paparazzi or the suave and sophisticated star who is such a riot on “30 Rock.” One thing is certain, love or loathe his politics, the guy actually has a brain.
Sample political tweet: Obama is more prepared 2b Prez than Romney. Romney is prepared 2b pres of a country club. I write that w all due respect to country clubs
Be prepared for: The odd rant.
Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome)
Why you should follow: Colbert is funnier in 140 characters than he is on an average 30-minute episode of “The Colbert Report.” His blustery, egomaniacal character is the perfect match for a platform that rewards real-time hagiography.
Sample political tweet: Obama delivered pizza to volunteer campaign workers this weekend. He's obviously preparing for life in the private sector.
Be prepared for: Plugging for his book “America Again,” but he manages to make his sales pitch amusing.
Ashley Judd (@AshleyJudd)
Why you should follow: Who knew the “Double Jeopardy” star was such a political sage? She brings her Democratic and feminist views to bear on issues such as abortion and sex trafficking, but unlike some other stars who just gas on about their pet causes, Judd bothers to do a little research before she tweets.
Sample political tweet: Correct: Romney does not like 47m families on food stamps: he will eliminate food stamps & let struggling families & kids go even hungrier.
"I just want to say on behalf of all of us at CNBC and Comcast and NBCUniversal and many others around the nation how touched and sad we are by this unspeakable act, and that we'll do everything we can to support the family in their awful time. We'll go back to our jobs but have them in our thoughts and prayers."
"A member of the CNBC family has suffered an unimaginable loss. The sadness that we all feel for Kevin, Marina and their family is without measure. Our thoughts, prayers and unwavering support are with them all."
Krim's wife, Marina Krim, discovered the children covered in blood in the bathtub in their luxury Upper West Side apartment Thursday night after she returned home from their surviving three-year-old's swimming lesson.
Marina had chronicled her children's lives in a live journal titled "LittleMissLucia," the name of her six-year-old daughter who was killed Thursday.
Marina last posted on the site after 2:30 Thursday, just hours before the tragedy.
“Leo speaks in the most adorable way possible,” she wrote. “Firstly, he speaks super clearly, so you can understand every word is he is saying. And he does things like, "(I) want a fresh bagel" and "Dito (what he calls himself) wants cold milk" and most adorable of all, "No thank you" - he never uses "No" alone, it's always paired with "thank you.”
The blog has since been disabled, but some photos of the young family are available on The New York Post.
No charges have been filed yet against the nanny, 50-year-old Yoselyn Ortega.
The quote, spoken by Gil Pender, played by Owen Wilson, is from a passage in Faulkner’s "Requiem for a Nun," which reads: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”
In the film, Wilson's character says, “The past is not dead! Actually, it's not even past. You know who said that? Faulkner. And he was right. And I met him, too. I ran into him at a dinner party.”
But according to the six-page complaint filed by Faulkner Literary Rights LLC:
“The use of the infringing quote and of William Faulkner’s name in the infringing film is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, and/or to deceive the infringing film's viewers as to a perceived affiliation, connection or association between William Faulkner and his works, on the one hand, and Sony, on the other hand.”
Faulkner Literary Rights LLC. is suing Sony Classics for “damages, disgorgement of profits, costs and attorney fees.”
"Midnight In Paris" was Woody Allen’s highest-grossing film ever, bringing in over $151 million worldwide, though he was not personally named as a defendant.
The relatively somber picture of a dark Tony Stark left us with a lot of questions.
What's the deal with Guy Pearce's role in the film? Why are there so many Iron Man suits? And, who's the girl making moves on Stark?
If the trailer left you confused as to where the sequel is heading, we've broken it down for you including some answers to the very vague released plot and a blink-and-you'll-miss-it giant stuffed pink bunny and tattoo.
The film will follow the "Extremis" storyline.
There's a six-story comic from 2005-2006 follows the invention of a serum / virus, "Extremis." The serum is supposed to be used solely for military purposes to engineer a Super Soldier.
Parts of the "Extremis" storyline were used in the first film for Stark's origin story (the bomb exploding during his tour in Afghanistan, taking deathly shrapnel to the chest, etc.).
The serum basically reboots the entire human system with better organs, faster reflexes and healing abilities among other heightened senses. Sounds great until you find out it's only compatible with about 2.5 percent of the population.
We're betting the film will most likely follow the fallout of how this serum affects Aldrich Killian (involved with its creation), Tony Stark, the government, and particularly how The Mandarin sees it as beneficial.
There's more than one villain.
Sure, Ben Kingsley is being touted as the main bad guy, Mandarin.
However, how many superhero movies three films deep (Spider-Man, TDKR) do you know to play ball with one main antagonist?
We got a look at Guy Pearce who will be playing the role of Aldrich Killian, the geneticist who serves as one of the bad guys in the "Extremis" story arc.
As well, comic character Eric Slavin (James Badge) will be introduced in the film. In the comics, he goes on to become a RoboCop-esque cyborg villain Coldblood.
Pepper Potts gets kidnapped.
Could she be strapped to some sort of "Extremis" mechanism?
Little did real estate agent Justin Huchel know that the private wedding video he made for friends Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, featuring homeless people wishing them well from the streets of Los Angeles, would be seen by nearly 80,000 people on YouTube.
The eight-minute video, cut down online to 20 seconds, begins with text saying "Greetings from your Hollywood friends who just couldn't make it," and goes on to feature L.A. street musicians, transexuals and homeless people wishing the Hollywood couple well.
One of the men featured in the video told TMZ that he was outraged as he was paid $40 to appear in the piece and felt that he had been tricked.
After Gawker somehow obtained the clip and posted it Thursday, Huchel's lawyers threatened a lawsuit, stating, "Mr. Huchel made [the] video to be used and exhibited privately at Justin Timberlake's wedding as a private joke without Mr. Timberlake's knowledge ... Further, Mr. Huchel informs us that his copyrighted video was recently stolen."
Read the full letter from Huchel's attorney on Gawker here.
While Gawker initially refused to comply with the take-down request, they later complied after a second letter claimed it was a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
But the lawyers were a little late, as nearly 80,000 people have now watched the video clip online and bashed Timberlake as a result.
As one commenter on the video wrote, "What is offensive is that these people who make 8 digits per year made a video to show to their friends (who also make 8 digits a year) a 'funny' video about how these people just couldn't make it to the JJ wedding. It's sarcastic and tasteless, and sad."
On Friday, Timberlake finally took to his blog to apologize for the unfunny joke, saying "I am deeply sorry to anyone who was offended by the video. Again, it was something that I was not made aware of. But, I do understand the reaction and, by association, I am holding myself accountable."
Read the full letter below:
AN OPEN LETTER
To my family, friends, and fans:
The last time I wrote a letter like this, it was when I had the good fortune of attending a once in a lifetime experience by sharing an evening with some of America’s finest at the Marine Corps Ball about a year ago. I was so moved by that night, I wanted to share it with everyone. Unfortunately, this letter holds a different kind of weight for me.
Normally, as some of you know, I am (by nature) a pretty private person. So, I don’t really take it upon myself to comment on things that so often go misunderstood or something that has even shed any kind of dark light on what was and will always be one of the most special weeks of my life. But, in light of the recent events, I can’t fight the urge to clarify my thoughts and feelings on what has been a very upsetting portrayal of the people closest to me and myself. It’s not who I am as a professional or as a man.
I can’t help but think of one of the many great life lessons my Grandfather has taught me… He told me when I was younger that “Sometimes, you are confronted with challenges in life that perhaps are not your own. And, when those moments arise, the right thing for a man to do is accept that responsibility, whatever it may be, and face it with honesty and humility.”
So, I’m taking his advice. If for no other reason, than to clear the air so no one has to ever wonder how I feel about it.
I’d like to start off by saying that I don’t live my life making fun of people (unless, of course, I’m making fun of myself on SNL)… Especially, those who are less fortunate or those in need. I grew up with a family and community that instilled ideals in me like hard work, honesty and empathy. As a matter of fact, growing up in Tennessee, I was always taught that we as people, no matter what your race, sex, or stature may be, are equal. We have a saying there that “Everyone puts their pants on the same way(maybe this saying doesn’t apply to guys who wear kilts. Although, I’m sure they put theirs on the same way too…)”
As it pertains to this silly, unsavory video that was made as a joke and not in any way in mockery:
1. I had no knowledge of its existence. I had absolutely ZERO contribution to it.
2. My friends are good people. This was clearly a lapse in judgment which I’m sure no one who is reading this is exempt from. But, I don’t believe it was made to be insensitive. More so, I think it was made as a joke on me not having that many friends attending my own wedding(which IS kind of funny if you think about it).
3. Like many silly rumors that I have been made aware of about the week: It was NOT shown at my wedding.
4. I think we can all agree that it was distasteful, even though that was not it’s intention.
Once again, in the world that we live in where everyone thinks that they know everything, I want to be very clear… I am NOT defending the video. I agree with the overall consensus. But, to use another “pants” analogy… It seems that these days, misconception gets around the world before the actual truth even wakes up and gets it’s pants on.
I want to say that, on behalf of my friends, family, and associative knuckleheads, I am deeply sorry to anyone who was offended by the video. Again, it was something that I was not made aware of. But, I do understand the reaction and, by association, I am holding myself accountable.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts. It really is a blessing to be able to speak directly to my true fans so that you can know exactly where I stand.
-Justin
P.S. You can bet your ass that I’m having my friend do at least 100 hours of community service… Boom.
Just don't expect to hear from the 100 or so fellow guests at the Timberlake/Biel wedding on the topic, as they have likely been signed to secrecy.
According to E! Online, "it's pretty common for guests to be asked to sign confidentiality agreements at the same time that they respond to the wedding invitations."
"The agreements are usually signed prior to disclosing the date and location of the event, so as to prevent any leaks of when and where," family law attorney Lubov Stark tells E!
And the guests at the Timberlake/Biel nuptials, were, in fact, kept in the dark of where they were going until arriving in Frankfurt during a layover on their way to Italy for the actual wedding.
Mary-Kate Olsen is a former child star and budding fashion designer.
But lately, she's been making headlines for her relationship with Nicolas Sarkozy's half-brother, Olivier. The press is interested in their age different (he's 42, she's 26), and opulent vacations and apartments.
""Everyone has an opinion," Mary-Kate told the paper. "I find it's better to focus on what's in front of you and to keep putting one foot in front of the other."
Mary-Kate and her twin sister, Ashley, were honored by the WSJ for their contributions to fashion.
In addition to his famous sibling and girlfriend, Olivier has made a name for himself as a successful banker.
He and Olsen are rumored to have moved in together in a New York City townhouse.
And while some people love the double entendre-filled spot ("Your first time shouldn't be with just anybody. You want to do it with a great guy ... someone who really cares about and understands women!"), a lot of conservatives have taken their complaints to Twitter.
They range from mild distaste for the sexual analogy, to the point accusing Dunham of colluding with Satan. (That Tweet came from Kelly Fenton, the deputy chair of the Minnesota Republican Party. She has since deleted it.)
Note: Ronald Regan actually made a glib remark comparing voting for the first time to losing your virginity, but Dunham's official ad goes into far greater detail.
According to Deadline, the "Skyfall" writer pitched a two-movie story arc to writer Barbara Broccoli and producer Michael Wilson during filming of the latest movie.
If that's right, it would be the first Bond storyline to be broken down over the course of two films.
Logan was nominated for his screenplays of "Gladiator," "Hugo," and "The Aviator."
“I wish we could have an honest and respectful dialogue about these complicated issues, but it seems like we can’t right now,” said Tina Fey. “And if I have to listen to one more grey-faced man with a $2 haircut explain to me what rape is, I’m going to lose my mind.”
The comedian was among stars Stanley Tucci, Janeane Garofalo, and Jill Flint to attend the event supporting reproductive rights.
The event raised more than $1.2 million for the center.
Check out the clip below courtesy of the Center for Reproductive Rights:
A statement was released early Friday confirming rumors that publishing companies Penguin and Random House are considering a merger.
"Pearson (Penguin is its consumer publishing division) confirms that it is discussing with Bertelsmann (Random House) a possible combination of Penguin and Random House. The two companies have not reached agreement and there is no certainty that the discussions will lead to a transaction. A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate," reads the statement from Pearson, the British owner of Penguin.
The merger comes as a possible response to the competition publishing companies are facing from e-book providers and retailers like Amazon.
According to Bloomberg, the combined entity would be worth $3 billion and control 25 percent of the market. This sizable stake could lead to regulatory scrutiny from both the U.S. and Europe.
A company merger could reduce the estimated cost base by two to three percent, according to media analyst Alex Groote of Panmure Gordon & Co. Groote also suspects Random House will have a bigger stake in the potentially combined company because of its larger revenue.
Penguin, valued around $1 billion, is responsible for publishing New York Times bestseller "The Help," while Random House, with 2011 revenues of about $1.7 billion, published bestseller "Fifty Shades of Grey."
Samsung Mobile hosted an interactive event in New York City Wednesday night to celebrate the U.S. launch of the Galaxy Note II and Galaxy Camera.
In addition to tech writers and celebrities such as singer Jennifer Hudson and "Twilight" actor Peter Facinelli, more than 1,000 Samsung fans were selected from among its 20 million Samsung Mobile Facebook fans and Twitter followers to participate in the celebration.
And what a celebration it was.
Guests were treated to passed appetizers such as tuna tartare cones, two open bars and an exclusive performance by Kanye West.
The event was held at Skylight at Moynihan Station in Manhattan.
Where Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note II.
We listened as CMO Todd Pendleton gave an overview of the new 5.5-inch huge smartphone.
Sir Ian McKellen said there are many gay actors at the top of the profession because "we spent so long pretending to be straight, to be someone else, that eventually we became very good at it".
Sir Ian McKellen has said that being gay helped him to hone his talents as an actor because he spent so many years "pretending to be someone else".
The 73-year-old claimed the same was true for other British actors of his generation.
Although aware of his sexuality at a young age, Sir Ian did not officially ‘come out’ until his 40s. The star of stage and screen now tours secondary schools educating children about equality and promoting a campaign by the Stonewall charity aimed at tackling homophobic bullying.
Speaking to pupils at Acland Burleigh school in north London, Sir Ian said he “always knew” that he was gay but did not feel able to speak about it.
“There was no Graham Norton on the television at that time, no gay MPs, no-one talking about gay rights on the radio. So I dealt with it my trying to cut that part of myself off, to hide myself, to choke a part of me,” he said.
“When you are made to feel you are so wrong for being who you are, that’s what you do.
“I think that’s why so many great British actors are gay - we spent so long pretending to be straight, to be someone else, that eventually we became very good at it.”
Sir Ian, familiar to younger filmgoers as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings and Magneto in the X-Men films, asked the pupils not to use the word “gay” as a term of abuse.
The actor told pupils he “wished that every child, every teacher, every person in this room can be free to be who they are, whatever their sexual orientation”.
Sir Ian ‘came out’ publicly in 1988 during a BBC radio interview about Section 28 of the Local Government Act, which forbade the “promotion” of homosexuality by local authorities.
He later wrote: “I learned that coming out was crucial to self-esteem. And I accepted the argument that people who thrived in society’s mainstream and had access to the media could, by telling the truth, help others in the backwaters whose views were never sought and whom society either ignored or abused.
“An actor is more protected than most. These days I daily make this point to anyone who will listen because, when I eventually accepted it on the BBC, it changed my life forever for the better.”
But Cannavale won't be making anywhere near what Pacino is earning each week.
“Personal” 
But according to the 
