Nat Faxon Lands Title Role In Fox Comedy Pilot Ned Fox Is My Manny

Nat Faxon is on a hot streak. The actor-writer, who just won an Oscar on Sunday for co-writing The Descendants with his writing partner Jim Rash and Alexander Payne, just landed the title role opposite Abby Elliott in Foxs single-camera comedy pilot Ned Fox Is My Manny (formerly Ben Fox Is My Manny), directed by Jake Kasdan. The project, from writer Dana Fox, 20th TV and Chernin Entertainment, centers on an uptight single mother Kate (Elliott) whose aimless older brother Ned (Faxon) moves in to help raise her daughter (Maggie Jones). Co-starring in the pilot is Lucy Punch. Faxon, repped by Innovative and Principato-Young, is a familiar face (and voice) at Fox. He co-starred on the network’s short-lived comedy Happy Hour and has voiced characters on animated comedies The Cleveland Show and Allen Gregory. Faxon’s writing partner Rash also is on a primetime comedy series, he co-stars on NBC’s Community.

Women in Film honors four

DavisHammerMoretzApplegate Women in Film will recognition Viola Davis, Bonnie Hammer, Chloe Sophistication Moretz and Christina Applegate at its June 12 fundraising event dinner."The AssistanceInch star Davis will probably be recognized while using Very Award for excellence in film, while NBCUniversal Cable maven Hammer continues to be honored while using Lucy Award for excellence in television.Moretz, who stars in May release "Dark Shadows," remains selected as Women in Film's Max Mara "Face for future years.In . Thesp Applegate will probably be recognized while using Norma Zarky Humanitarian Award on her behalf use Right Action for girls, which gives tests to girls that are at risk of breast cancers.Honorees were revealed Wednesday by WIF prexy Trina Schulman. Iris Grossman, WIF prexy emeritus, returns as honours chair. Additional honorees will probably be introduced soon for your kudos being locked in the Beverly Hilton. Contact Pat Saperstein at pat.saperstein@variety.com

Oscars 2012: Why 'Bridesmaids' Deserved A Best Picture Nod

Nine films are nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards this year, begging the question: who deserved a tenth spot on that list? Oscars 2012: 10 Spot answers that question, as the MTV Movies team highlights some of 2011's greatest films and argues why they deserved a nod as the tenth Best Picture nominee. If there's a movie that made you laugh harder and more consistently in 2011 than "Bridesmaids," I'd certainly love to hear about it. For my money, no such film exists: the Kristen Wiig comedy was an instant classic with all the guffaws and gross-out jokes seen in the "Hangover" movies, but with considerably less bro-humor and a whole lot more brains. For the few of you out there who haven't seen "Bridesmaids," a quick primer: Wiig plays Annie, a down-on-her-luck baker-sans-bakery who finds her loneliness heightened by the upcoming marriage of her lifelong best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph). As Lillian's maid of honor, Annie dances around her own depression by stumbling in the faces of the rest of the bridesmaids: waspy control-freak Helen (Rose Byrne), cynical mom Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey), doe-eyed newlywed Becca (Ellie Kemper) and the impossibly filthy Megan (Melissa McCarthy). Hilarity, heartbreak and other hijinks ensue. "Bridesmaids" isn't entirely without Oscar support this year. The film snagged a nod for Best Original Screenplay, and to the surprise of nobody, McCarthy is up for Best Supporting Actress. Her turn as Megan stands out to me as the funniest performance of 2011, if not necessarily the deepest one of the year. Comparing McCarthy's Megan to "Hangover" man-child Zach Galifianakis' Allen doesn't do the role justice: both are unhinged, thoroughly ridiculous human beings, but where Allen is a semi-psychotic dimwit with a big heart, Megan has enough brains to keep up with her bananas. But McCarthy isn't the only reason why "Bridesmaids" works so well. The film's biggest laughs come from her, sure, but it's the group chemistry of Lillian's bridesmaids and the emotional downward spiral of Annie that keep things moving forward at such an amazing pace. Is it groundbreaking dramatic material? Perhaps not, but it does put you through your paces with a fantastic lead character in Wiig. Her identity crisis is no less fascinating to me than Billy Beane's struggle in "Moneyball," or Gil Pender's time-traveling escapades in "Midnight in Paris." Honestly, if it were me, I'd put "Bridesmaids" through to the top nine over either one of those films. Perhaps "Bridesmaids" is just too much funny, not enough sappy, for Oscar voters to get behind in a big way. Comedies at the Oscars are usually the saddest ones of all, as Jack Black, Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly once happily pointed out. But with only nine films nominated and a tenth spot available, I see no reason why Oscar couldn't have broken their usual comedy bias with a movie as touching, deserving and -- yes -- disgusting as "Bridesmaids." Which 2011 film deserved a spot as a Best Picture nominee? Tell us in the comments section or hit us up on Twitter!

'Writers' bound to find the best areas

Lisa Wilson's startup sales outfit the answer Entertainment Group has locked a collection of deals for Greg Kinnear and Jennifer Connelly starrer "Authors" in the European Film Market. To date pic has offered privileges in most media to Australia (Becker Film Group), Canada (eOne), Germany and German-speaking Europe (Wild Bunch) and The country (DeaPlaneta). Furthermore, pic has offered towards the Middle East (Bald eagle Films), Poultry (Pinema), South America (California Filmes), Eastern Europe (SPI), Singapore (Shaw), India (PVR) and worldwide air carriers (Cinesky). Pic, that is created by Informant Media's Judy Cairo ("Crazy Heart"), follows the storyline from the complicated associations from a effective novelist and the ex-wife, college-age daughter and teenage boy. Josh Boone makes his directorial debut using the pic, that they also authored. Wilson and her Solution partner Myles Nestel professional produce alongside Informant's Michael A. Simpson and Eric Brenner. Lensing is anticipated to start in New York in March. "I have been overcome through the reaction to the fabric,Inch stated Wilson on closing the deals. Additional game titles around the Solution's slate include "Hector and the quest for Happiness," "Metropolitan areas" and "Something for the Birthday." Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Hulu shacks up with 'Matchmaker' series

TuccilloHulu has arranged another original series, a laffer from scribe Liz Tuccillo."Paul a mans Matchmaker" is really a 10-episode comedy series from Liz Tuccillo ("Sex and also the City") and Paul Bartholomew ("Mad Males"), who also stars. "Matchmaker" is all about a hopeless male matchmaker that has virtually no affection for ladies, yet is decided to assist them to look for a true love. It bows on Hulu February. 13, tying along with Valentine's.The series will feature looks from familiar faces including Tony Hale ("Arrested Development"), Janeane Garofalo ("The Ray Sanders Show"), and Lisa Edelstein ("House"). "Matchmaker" was created by Warner Bros. Television Group Studio 2. -- an electronic-centric offshoot from the mothership studio -- in colaboration with Generate."Using its resolve for original programming and fast-growing audience base dedicated to quality programming, Hulu is the best platform with this unique comedy series," stated Craig Hunegs, executive Vice president of WBTVG.Inside a bid to distinguish itself among digital developers, Hulu continues to be certification original material. Recently, it snapped up the half-hour political dramedy "Battleground" since it's first scripted series. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com