LIFESTYLE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013 Music37 & Movies Travolta’s Biel, ‘Girls’star Mamet set for Heist movie Michael super Crispy’s ‘Shiva & May’ estate ‘The Forger’ adds Jackson sues over products in Japan ichael Jackson’s estate is suing a man and three companies in Japan, Ehle, Mount alleging they are using the name and likeness of the late pop star Mon key chains, mugs and other products without permission. The lawsuit filed in Tokyo District Court last month does not seek money but demands the actions stop. It names Ryosuke Matsuura and three companies, Michael Jackson Asian Rights, Michael Jackson Enterprises and Michael Jack- son World. The companies run elaborate online sites that proclaim it owns the rights to Jackson products in Asia, displays photos of the singer, and sells 2,100 yen ($21) towels, 525 ($5) post cards and 10,000 yen ($100) lighters that have his image plastered on them. The estate said it wants to protect its legitimate partners and preserve the legacy of Jackson, who died in California in 2009 from an anesthetic overdose. “Many in Japan have been misled by the defen- dants,” the estate said in a statement. “Michael loved his millions of Japanese fans, all of whom deserve the opportunity to purchase legitimate and authen- tic Michael Jackson goods.” Yutaka Fujino, an executive at one of the companies, said Wednesday he wanted to study the AP’s questions before commenting. Estate attorney Ken- suke Ambe said Matsuura is contesting the allegations, but he has not heard back from the others. Matsuura did not answer repeated calls. The estate estimated the value of the unauthorized products at 123 million yen ($1.23 million), according to the lawsuit documents. “The defendants are taking ad- vantage of the fact that Michael is dead to act as though they have obtained the rights,” the documents said. Also behind the lawsuit is Triumph, an American company wholly owned by the estate and set up by Jackson to handle his merchandising. The estate erased nearly $500 million in debt after Jackson’s death and keeps churning out new products. It opened a Las Vegas Cirque-du-Soleil show this year and is likely considering additional releases of Jackson-related material to ensure John Travolta his mother and three children keep living comfortably and fans have new ennifer Ehle (“Zero Dark Thirty”), Anson Mount material to see and hear. Triumph sued another Japanese company that sold (AMC’s “Hell on Wheels”), Abigail Spencer (“Oz the Jackson goods and won in 2011. Japanese are among Jackson’s most loyal Great and Powerful”) and Belgian-born actor Mar- fans, and many stuck with him through his two trials centered on child-moles- J tation charges, which never resulted in convictions. He repeatedly denied the cus Thomas have joined John Travolta in “The Forger,” essica Biel and “Girls” star Zosia Mamet are set to play long-lost charges. His death brought much of this nation out in mourning.—AP sisters in Super Crispy Entertainment’s indie thriller “Shiva & a heist film being produced and co-financed by Code JMay,” which hails from award-winning writer-director Diane Bell, Entertainment and The Solution Entertainment Group. TheWrap has learned. “Twilight Saga” actors Edi Gathegi and Joe Ander- Philip Martin is directing the film, which also stars Tye son co-star alongside Kate Burton (“Scandal”), while Harry Hamlin has Sheridan (“Mud”) and Oscar winner Christopher Plum- agreed to a kinky cameo. mer. Jonathan Schwartz and Andrea Sperling are producing “Shiva & Code’s Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt and Eugene Musso May” through their Super Crispy banner along with Greg Ammon. Bell’s are producing along with Prospect Park’s Rob Car- manager Dan Halsted is executive producing the film, which is cur- liner. Jonathan Dana and Randi Michel will executive rently shooting in Los Angeles. Biel stars as a peaceful yoga instructor produce alongside The Solution’s Lisa Wilson and Myles who finds herself behaving in ways she never imagined in an effort to Nestel. Anson Downes and Linda Favila will serve as protect her newly discovered sister Shiva (Mamet), who is a sex worker, co-executive producers. Written by Richard D’Ovidio, from a less-than-savory boyfriend (Anderson). “The Forger” follows former child art prodigy and petty Gathegi will play Biel’s boyfriend, while Burton will play Biel’s mother. thief Ray Cutter (Travolta), who arranges to buy his way Super Crispy is a Santa Monica-based company known for its great out of prison so he can spend time with his ailing son taste in material and strong track record with movies featuring strong (Sheridan). Ray and his father (Plummer) must come female leads. The company previously produced “Like Crazy,” which together to carry out one last big job for the syndicate earned critical acclaim for Felicity Jones and Jennifer Lawrence, as well that financed his early release. as “Smashed,” which starred Mary Elizabeth Winstead in a tour-de-force Ehle will co-star as Travolta’s emotionally fragile ex- performance. The company is repped by attorney Elsa Ramo and the wife, while Mount will play a member of the syndicate law firm of Morris Yorn. who creates trouble for him. Spencer will play a DEA Bell is the Scottish filmmaker whose “Obselidia” won the Alfred P. agent and Thomas will play Ray’s long-time friend and Sloan Feature Film Prize and a cinematography award at the 2010 Sun- wingman. Production started Monday in Boston. The dance Film Festival, where she met Schwartz at a party. Biel continues Solution is handling international sales, while WME to push herself as an actress and has been focusing on more challeng- Global and ICM Partners are handling domestic sales. ing dramatic material of late, playing Vera Miles in Fox Searchlight’s Ehle, who next stars alongside Kevin Costner in Mike “Hitchcock” and starring alongside Kaya Scodelario in Francesca Grego- Binder’s drama “Black and White,” previously starred in rini’s indie drama “The Truth About Emanuel.” She’s repped by CAA, LBI “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Contagion.” Mount, who will Entertainment and attorney Karl Austen. soon be seen in “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane,” recently Mamet, who plays Shoshanna Shapiro on HBO’s hit series “Girls,” beat wrapped the Liam Neeson thriller “Non-Stop.” Spencer out stiff competition for the role of Shiva. She’s repped by UTA, 3 Arts currently stars in Sundance Channel’s original series Entertainment and attorney Stan Coleman. Gathegi’s credits include “Rectify,” while Thomas’ past credits include John Dahl’s “Twilight,” “X-Men: First Class” and Ben Affleck’s directorial debut “Gone “You Kill Me.” Ehle is repped by ICM Partners and Inde- Baby Gone.” He also co-stars in Cameron Crowe’s new movie, which stars pendent Talent Group. Mount is repped by by CAA and Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone. Gathegi is repped by ICM Partners, Brookside Artist Management, while ICM Partners and Untitled Entertainment rep Spencer.--Reuters Framework Entertainment and attorney Bianca Levin. Michael Jackson Anderson, who recently appeared in “The Grey” and will soon be seen alongside Daniel Radcliffe in “Horns,” is repped by CAA and Man- agement 360. Burton, who plays Vice President Sally Langston on ABC’s “Scandal,” is repped by the Gersh Agency, Principal Entertainment LA Drake, Macklemore, and Lou Coulson Associates. Hamlin, who was last seen on AMC’s “Mad Men” and Showtime’s “Shameless,” is repped by Paradigm and Luber Thicke set for Grammy Roklin Entertainment.—Reuters nods show rake, Robin Thicke, Keith special will air on CBS starting at Urban and Macklemore & 10 pm Eastern. (0200 GMT). Thicke DRyan Lewis will perform on is a top Grammy contender. His the Grammy Awards nominations “Blurred Lines” is the year’s biggest special in December. The Record- smash. He has won Grammys ing Academy made the announce- for writing songs for Usher and ment yesterday. The show will be Jennifer Hudson. Macklemore held Dec 6 at the Nokia Theatre LA & Ryan Lewis also have a strong Live in Los Angeles. chance for Grammy gold. Their Rapper-actor LL Cool J will breakthrough year includes three host “The Grammy Nominations international hits and a platinum Concert Live!! - Countdown to Mu- debut with “The Heist.”—AP File photo shows Drake perform- sic’s Biggest Night.” The one-hour File photo shows Robin Thicke per- ing at the iHeartRadio Music forms on NBC’s “Today” show in New Festival in Las Vegas.—AP York.—AP Worthington, Sturgess, Baldwin stalking trial to begin Kwanten to kidnap Hopkins November 6 vatar” star Sam Worthington,”Cloud At- las” actor Jim Sturgess and “True Blood” Canadian actress accused of stalking American actor Alec Baldwin will go on trial “A stud RyanKwanten will join Oscar winner in New York on November 6 on charges that she strenuously denies, a judge de- Anthony Hopkins in Informant Media’s international Acided Tuesday. Genevieve Sabourin, who has refused offers to settle the charges action-thriller “Kidnapping Freddy Heineken,” the out of court, says they stem out of an “misunderstanding”. “They have no case,” she said company announced Tuesday. Daniel Alfredson, Tuesday, insisting again that she did “absolutely not” stalk Baldwin. Judge Erika Edwards who directed both sequels to the original Swedish set next month’s trial date. Sabourin was arrested in April 2012 days after showing up at adaptation of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” Baldwin’s Manhattan apartment when the star of the TV comedy hit series “30 Rock” filed will direct from a script by UK-based writer William stalking charges. Brookfield, who adapted the bestselling book by He accused Sabourin of sending love-struck emails and asking him to marry her. The Netherlands crime journalist Peter R de Vries. actress claims to have had a sexual relationship with Baldwin, having first met him in 2002, Story follows one of the most notorious kidnap- and that they had romantic ties afterwards. Baldwin has admitted to seeing Sabourin Sam Worthington pings of the 21st Century, which resulted in the again in 2010, but only for dinner. The judge on Tuesday warned Sabourin that she was largest ransom ever paid for an individual at that still barred from going anywhere near Baldwin, who married second wife Hilaria in 2012. time. Brewery magnate Freddy Heineken (Hopkins) She gave birth to the couple’s first child last August. Genevieve Sab- and his chauffeur, Ab Doderer, were kidnapped in Prosecutors have twice indicated they would be ready to settle the case if Sabourin 1983 and released for a ransom of 35 million Dutch ourin leaves court pledges not to go within 10 blocks of the home or office of the actor and his wife and to guldens, which is the equivalent of about $50 in New York, Tues- get therapy. But Sabourin has refused, saying she has no need of treatment. She has also million today. Worthington, Sturgess and Kwanten day.—AP said that she is homeless and destitute and would be barred from re-entering the United States if she were to plead guilty. On Tuesday she was wearing a blue dress, which she said will likely play the kidnappers in the movie, which cost $17, and black Gucci shoes.—AFP also stars Netherlands actor Mark van Eeuwen and Australian newcomer Tom Cocquerel..—Reuters