Trade Round-Up: August 24, 2007

Ang Lee is back with a new film and like his last boundary-pushing pic, “Brokeback Mountain,” the Oscar-winning helmer pushes the envelope again but this time it’s with the MPAA. His newest film, “Lust, Caution,” just received an NC-17 rating, Variety reports. It’s an erotic espionage thriller which is set to premiere in Toronto next month. Get some of the dirty details on why “Lust, Caution” kissed its way to dreaded NC-17 territory here.

It was kind of a big deal when Starbucks opened its doors and clientele to Hollywood marketing gurus who hoped that in-store campaigns for studio pics would lead to a frenzy of caffeine-induced ticket sales. However, Variety reports that a potential boon in receipts has so far tasted more like a stale cup of decaf.

Members of the Directors Guild of America won’t be getting any free DVD screeners this year heading into awards season, Variety reports. Guild guy Dave McNary gave the news to DGA members in today’s paper and wrote that the news comes following last year’s semi-controversial awards season when Paramount/DreamWorks caught some flack for getting the green light to send out “Dreamgirls” screeners to DGA members.

Fox‘s blonde and busty “Anchorwoman” will have to find a new medium for her talents. THR reports that the network has pulled the plug on the pseudo-reality show less than 24 hours after airing the first episode, which barely managed to cross the 2 million mark in viewers. Maybe she can see if there is an opening on “Girls Next Door.”

THR‘s Borys Kit reports that Paramount is rounding up the troops for a live-action take on the “G.I. Joe” brand with Stephen Sommers signing on to direct. Pic is based on the popular Hasbro military action figures.
- CHRIS GARDNER

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