Tommy Lee Johnson to 'Emporer'

JonesTommy Lee Johnson will portray Gen. Douglas MacArthur opposite Matthew Fox in Peter Webber's Japan-set political thriller "Emperor," a co-manufacture of Fellers Film and Krasnoff/Promote Entertainment. Producers introduced Jones' casting Tuesday. "Tommy brings strength, intelligence and gravitas towards the portrayal of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, popular American hero," producer Gary Promote stated. Lensing is placed to start later this month in locations including Nz and Japan. CAA is handling sales within the U.S. Inspired by true occasions, "Emperor" is really a story of affection and understanding set among the questions from the days following a Japanese surrender in the finish of World war 2, when MacArthur, as supreme commander from the taking up forces, offered as p facto ruler of Japan. Fox will have Gen. Bonner Fellers, among MacArthur's Japan experts, who's billed with reaching a choice with an problem of historic importance: Should Emperor Hirohito be attempted and hanged like a war criminal? Pic will also explore the storyline of Fellers' romance having a Japanese exchange student and the mission to locate her within the ravaged publish-war landscape. Webber ("The Lady Having a Gem Earring") will direct from the script by David Klass and Vera Blasi. Yoko Narahashi ("The Final Samurai") and Eugene Nomura will produce with Gary Promote ("Ghost Driver") and Russ Krasnoff ("The Soloist"). Johnson is symbolized by CAA and lawyer Bill Jacobson, while Fox is symbolized by Management 360, WME and lawyer Craig Jacobson. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Jeffrey Dean Morgan in 'Rut' with Moretz

MorganMoretz"Watchmen" star Jeffrey Dean Morgan is set to join his "Texas Killing Fields" co-star Chloe Moretz in Karyn Kusama's gritty indie drama "The Rut."Kevin Caruso wrote the script, which is described as a cross between "Winter's Bone" and "Into the Wild."Story follows a teenage girl who aims to win her father's approval by surrounding herself with danger and adventure as she journeys into the wilderness alone to hunt the greatest of deer.While Morgan played a father figure to Moretz in "Texas Killing Fields," he'll play her actual father in "The Rut."Aaron Magnani will produce through his Water Bear/Aaron Magnani Prods. banner along with Martha Griffin, Kusama's producing partner.Moretz's mother Teri Moretz and brother Trevor Moretz will exec produce via Treetop Prods.Morgan will soon be seen in Open Road's "Red Dawn" remake, Lionsgate's horror-thriller "The Possession" and Bruce Beresford's "Peace, Love & Misunderstanding." Thesp also toplines Starz's upcoming series "Magic City," which debuts April 6.Morgan is repped by UTA, while WME and 3 Arts rep Chloe Moretz. ICM reps Magnani and Kusama, as well as the project. Caruso is repped by ICM and managers Frankie Lindquist and Mary Cybriwsky of Scooty Woop Entertainment. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com

Kiefer Sutherland talks 24 movie

Kiefer Sutherland has taken time out to discuss the status of the long-awaited 24 movie, with the actor revealing that filming could begin at the end of April if all goes to plan."The status on the movie is that, hopefully, we will be shooting the end of April, beginning of May," confirmed Sutherland at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, before going on to discuss what shape the film might take."I see it as a continuation," explained Sutherland. "The script that we've got right now, which I'm very, very excited about, is relatively a direct continuation. It's within six months from the end of the last episode. We'll see where it goes from there."Meanwhile, the star was also able to confirm that the film will depart from the traditional real-time structure of the television series."It's two hours, representing 24 hours," revealed Sutherland. "The movie is not in real time. It's a two-hour representation of a 24-hour day."All being well, we should be able to watch Jack Bauer torturing all and sundry on the big screen at some point in 2013. Get ready for another rash of those irritating CTU ringtones as soon as this one is confirmed...

The brand new the new sony Music encourages Dennis Kooker

The brand new the new sony Music Entertainment has upped Dennis Kooker to leader, global digital business and U.S. sales. He'll report right to SME chairman-Boss Doug Morris, who introduced the appointment to staff on Monday. Kooker replaces former digital boss Thomas Hesse, who ankled The brand new the new sony in the finish of 2011 for just about any perfect Bertelsmann's supervisory board. Hesse had headed their digital matters since 2004, because he grew to become part of the business following a merger of Sony's and Bertelsmann's music holdings. The brand new the new sony acquired Bertelsmann's stake within the new the new sony BMG in 2008. Kooker can be a veteran digital professional. He was most recently professional V . p . of methods and g.m., global digital business and U.S. sales, heading the unit's day-to-day methods. Prior to taking the gm role in 2008, he was professional V . p . of methods for that new the new sony BMG Music Entertainment's global digital business and U.S. sales unit. He began his record companies career in 1995. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com