If the Academy Fire Brett Ratner as Producer from the Academy awards?

Throughout a publish-'Tower Heist' Q&A session on Friday evening in La, director Brett Ratner stated "practicing is perfect for fags" when requested by a crowd member if he rehearses moments before filming. So, yeah, that isn't good. Ratner has since apologized for his comments inside a statement towards the Wrap: I am sorry for just about any offense my remarks triggered. It had been a dumb method of indicating myself. Everybody you never know me recognizes that I do not possess a prejudiced bone during my body. But like a storyteller I ought to happen to be a lot more thoughtful concerning the energy of language and my selection of words. Meanwhile, at Grantland, Mark Harris is rallying for that Academy to alleviate Ratner of his Oscar creating responsibilities. I have needed to pay attention to versions of each one of these mea-not-quite-culpas through the years and seriously, I am no more thinking about with patience seeing the slow arc of the public figure's learning curve. Things I do worry about is exactly what the Academy does, that ought to be with the idea to request for and receive his resignation in the show in order to drop him because the producer of the show that's designed to represent the very best the needs to offer. There's not just a lengthy, nuanced debate available relating to this. If he'd used a similar racial or religious slur, the discussion would go something similar to, "You are fired." Apology or otherwise. Exactly the same rule is applicable here. You do not get a mulligan on homophobia. Not this year. Grantland does not possess a leaving comments system, but we all do! And that we are very curious that which you consider this case. Bear in mind: if Ratner is fired, Eddie Murphy (that has their own questionable history with this particular slur from his comedy special offers 'Delirious' and 'Raw') is most likely gone. That should not be considered a element in a choice such as this, however it kinda does -- also is why it is extremely unlikely that Ratner is going to be fired. So, you are responsible for the Academy awards. (Champion!) Knowing that you might lose Murphy should you fire Ratner, where do you turn? Is his apology enough, or perhaps is Harris in demanding that Ratner step lower or perhaps be changed? Fire away within the comments section below. [via Grantland] [Photo: BAUERGRIFFIN] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Joel Edgerton May Be 'The Guy From U.N.C.L.E.' or perhaps the New Gerard Butler

Poor Joel Edgerton didn't cash luck along with his fall twosome of 'Warrior' (sadly not seen!) and 'The Thing' (fortunately not seen!), so that it visits reason he may decide to up his profile having a couple of sure things soon. And therefore here' am! Not only is Edgerton co-starring in 'The Great Gatsby,' but she's his pick of two high-profile approaching projects, according to Vulture: Steven Soderbergh's 'The Guy From U.N.C.L.E.' as well as the '300' prequel. Vulture reviews that Warner Bros. offered Edgerton charge role in 'U.N.C.L.E.' despite the fact that Bradley Cooper was apparently the most effective choice a few days ago. This comes several hours after Vulture also reported that Edgerton was the studio's pick to steer '300: Fight of Artemisia.' (Seems like Edgerton has some large fans round the Warner's lot.) Edgerton hasn't recognized either role, but forthcoming nexus s he'll grab one. After passing up on charge in 'The Bourne Legacy' to Jeremy Renner, dude warrants a relaxation. [via Vulture] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Goldwyn Honours title individuals who win

UCLA student Robin Rudenberg has acquired the 2012 Samuel Goldwyn Writing Award, scoring $15,000 on her behalf script "Reckoning." The 56th annual kudo, established with the Samuel Goldwyn Foundation and granted to ambitious scribes registered for just about any school inside the U. of California system, also hands out second and third place honours along with an honorable mention laurel. Second place visited Devin Fearn, nabbing $7,500 for script "Wendigo," while Amy Aniobi and Georgia Lin Sundling tied for third place, taking $4,000 each for Aniobi's "Blame Chocolate" and Sundling's "The Extended Short Drop." Fearn, Aniobi and Sundling are enrolled at UCLA. UC Santa Barbara's Cameron Lund acquired honorable mention together with a $2,000 prize for his script "Practicing To Attain Perfection." David Hoberman, Paul Mazursky and Melanie Marnich selected this years individuals who win, introduced Wednesday evening in L.A. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Sara Paxton Investigates a Hotel's Paranormal Activity in The Innkeepers Trailer

Halloween may be over but that doesn’t mean that the movie theater scares will be. How do we know? Because Dark Sky Films has released a trailer for Ti West’s latest horror film The Innkeepers, which stars Sara Paxton and Pat Healy as the last remaining employees of the Yankee Pedlar Inn who decide to investigate for ghosts one last time. Movieline has been waiting for The Innkeepers’ theatrical release ever since its SXSW premiere. Shot at the actual (some say haunted) Yankee Pedlar Inn in Connecticut, the intimate film chronicles Claire (Paxton) and Luke (Healy)’s last days at the about-to-be-shuttered hotel and their investigation into the supernatural. The Innkeepers arrives in theaters March 12. [via Yahoo!]

'Project X' Trailer: The 'Paranormal Activity' Of Party Movies?

After "Paranormal Activity 3" scared up a big opening weekend, it was clear that the found footage genre isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The latest addition to the club is "Project X" from producer Todd Phillips, the director of "Old School" and "The Hangover." This time, the camera doesn't document a demon or a witch or giant monster destroying NY City. The disaster this time around happens to be a giant party destroying a suburban block. "Project X" follows a group of high school students, the main character played by Thomas Mann, who throw the most out of control party of all time for their one chance to be cool. It's kind of like if the people in "Cloverfield" never left the apartment from the beginning. The trailer shows off a party that doesn't look that much crazier than a relatively big high school party. Everyone is dancing. There are raging hormones abound, but that's not really what "Project X" is about. Things naturally get out of hand. There is alcohol everywhere, sex, flamethrowers, dogs doin' it, and a car driving into the pool. Oh, and one of those inflatable moon bounces. The end of the trailer even shows a good chunk of the block on fire. "Project X" is helmed by first-time director Nima Nourizadeh based on a story from Michael Bacall, who co-write "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" and co-wrote the screenplay for this film with Matt Drake. Mann, Jonathan Brown, Oliver Cooper and Alexis Knapp star in the film. Check out the trailer over at Apple. "Project X" hits theaters March 2, 2012. Stick with MTV Movies Blog for the latest movie news and trailers. What do you think of the "Project X" trailer? Does found footage work with a party? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

ADG to fete 'Harry Potter' creative team

The Art Company directors Guild has drawn on the main creative team from the ''Harry Potter'' series as readers of their Outstanding Contribution to Motion picture Imagery Award. They includes producers David Heyman and David Barron director David Yates creator and author J.K. Rowling film writer Steve Kloves production designer Stuart Craig art director Neil Lamont and hang decorator Stephenie McMillan. Thomas A. Walsh, leader from the guild, and honours co-producers Tom Wilkins and Greg Grande made the announcement Tuesday. The kudo will be provided towards the group in the 16th Annual Excellence in Production Design Honours on February. 4 in the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The guild noted that Lamont and Barron have labored together on six from the Potter films. Rowling, Heyman, Kloves, Craig and McMillan started their collaboration using the first film, ''Harry Potter and also the Sorcerer's Stone.'' Yates directed the ultimate four films from the series. The ''Harry Potter'' films cumed world box office in excess of $7.7 billion. ''Their phenomenal success is because of a oneness of vision and also the masterful wizardry from the franchise's creator, producers, film writer and art direction family,'' Walsh stated. ''From the beginning a distinctive creative partnership has led the realization of those carefully crafted gems. It makes sense an enduring legacy to the skill of narrative storytelling for that moving image, one which will stand the ages, and something which has elevated the creative bar of achievement for those who love film.'' It's the very first time the Art Company directors Guild has selected a film team for that kudo. Previous readers from the guild's award include Bill Taylor, Syd Dutton, Warren Beatty, Allen Daviau, Clint Eastwood, Blake Edwards, Terry Gilliam, Ray Harryhausen, Norman Jewison, John Lasseter, George Lucas, Frank Oz, Steven Spielberg, Robert S. Smart and Zhang Yimou. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Energy of Comedy to recognition Poehler

PoehlerAmy Poehler can get the 2010 Energy of Comedy award at Variety's second annual Energy of Comedy confab November. 19. Peformers and presenters for your event, happening within the Hollywood Palladium, include Will Ferrell, Sarah Silverman, Nick Kroll, Casey Wilson, the Upright People Brigade, Big Strong as well as the Serta Band.The evening of stand-up and sketch perf will again assist the Noreen Fraser Foundation, which focuses on prevention and control over women's cancer.Poehler, a founding part of the Upright People Brigade comedy troupe, "Saturday Evening Live" alum and star of NBC's "Parks and Entertainment," is going to be provided the award by fellow "SNL" vet Ferrell."Last year's event was an incredible success, raising one 4th from the million dollars for women's cancer research, and that we are excited to once again gather lots of our industry's finest comics to recognition the funny Amy Poehler and exceed that goal," mentioned Michelle Sobrino, connect author of Variety. Some 1,500 site visitors, encompassing Hollywood VIPs and comedy fans, are needed to visit. Event is presented by Apple Something Ea "Sim cards 3" vidgame. Supporting partners include Skype.Ticket prices change from $55-$350 Private room packages change from $5,000 to $15,000. Visit Variety.com/poc or call Lauran at 310-201-5033 for tix. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com