Han Solo and Lando Calrissian: Best Friends Forever

Oh, publicity photos, sometimes you can be so glorious. Obviously this is a long since forgotten gem of Harrison Ford and Billy Dee Williams that was shot to promote the release of 'The Empire Strikes Back.' Though, it's really hard to not think of it as a picture of Han Solo and Lando Calrissian -- two longtime friends that will never, ever be separated. Ever! I mean, it's almost upsetting to look at this photo, knowing that Lando will double-cross Han on Bespin. But, if you have ever wondered, You know, Han really did seem to forgive Lando fairly quickly in 'Return of the Jedi'... I mean, being frozen in carbonite for a year is something that I'm not so sure that I could just forgive and forget, let alone lend the guy my ship -- well, that means that you have never seen this picture before. (Also, knowing that the sometimes surly Ford's smile is most likely 100 percent sarcasm makes this even better.) [Photo: Lucasfilm] You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Casting Standout: 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'

Casting Standout: 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' By Sarah Kuhn November 23, 2011 Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures Casting director Mele Nagler scoured the world trying to find a boy who could believably portray 11-year-old Oskar Schell, the precocious protagonist in "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," adapted from Jonathan Safran Foer's novel. Over the course of the film, Oskar goes through a complex, keenly felt journey, so Nagler and director Stephen Daldry knew they needed an actor who had just the right combination of razor-sharp intellect and emotional availability. "Oskar is smarter than most adults," says Nagler. "He's an astute observer of the world. At the same time, the character is going through a tremendous lossa loss that even your emotionally evolved adult would have a hard time going through. How do you find a child who can access that?"At one point, Nagler recalls, she was getting audition tapes "by the truckload" from places as far-flung as Canada, England, and Australia. In addition to employing the usual casting methods, Nagler says she and the filmmakers tried to think "outside the box." In one of those outside-the-box moments, producer Scott Rudin mentioned that he'd seen a bright youngster named Thomas Horn win "Jeopardy!" during Kids Week the year before. Nagler tracked down Hornwho had never acted beforethrough the show. Horn put himself on tape and was eventually invited to be part of a "boot camp" involving the final set of actors being considered for the role. "It's an idea we stole from Stephen, because it's something that he does with all of his worldwide companies for 'Billy Elliot,' " Nagler says. "We brought them to NY and had them work with Stephen and his team for about a week. That process is pretty grueling."Through that process, the pool was narrowed down to Horn (who was 12 when he first auditioned and is now 14) and one other actor. "Then you take the leap," Nagler says. "Stephen has said this and I now live by this: At a certain point, you have to believe that this is the child and leap with them. It was clear that Thomas is an unbelievably special child, and now we're all at the point where we can't imagine it being anyone else."While Nagler was searching for the perfect Oskar, casting director Ellen Lewis was busy assembling a colorful crew of supporting characters, featuring A-listers Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks as Oskar's parents and beloved character player Zoe Caldwell as Oskar's grandmother. In every instance, Nagler reports, actors responded to the project immediately and with enthusiasm. "It's an amazing script and an amazing story that cannot help but touch someone," she says. "Whether you knew the book or read the screenplay, it was a project you wanted to be involved in."Lewis recalls that she and the filmmakers took "a deep, deep look throughout Europe" for actors, whether known or obscure, to play the pivotal role of a man renting a room from Oskar's grandmother. Ultimately, Max von Sydow won the part. "I had been lucky enough to cast him in 'Shutter Island,' " says Lewis, "so I was familiaras any cinephile would bewith his amazing work."John Goodman, James Gandolfini, and Jeffrey Wright also stepped in as key supporting players, and Viola Davis has a memorable turn as an important woman Oskar meets on his quest. "Scott Rudin had just worked with her in 'Fences,' where she had won a Tony, and was really committed to the idea of her in this role," says Lewis. "It could have gone many different ways, but you just couldn't say no to her in this role."One part of the job Lewis particularly relished was casting "wonderful NY character actors" like Adrian Martinez and Joseph McKenna in smaller supporting parts. Additionally, she enjoyed combing through submissions and seeking out players with various unusual talents. "We always look through every picture we get, really try to work with everybody," she says, "because you never know what you're going to be looking for."For instance, one smaller role required an actor who could play the cello. "There were several wonderful young actresses who played cello," says Lewis, but up-and-comer Jenson Smith ultimately won the part. "You just really get to meet wonderful people during the casting process. I always feel the small roles are what give the fabric and texture to a film. No role is too small, because in a wonderful project like this with a wonderful director, every single person is important. Every face is important."Casting Directors: Ellen Lewis and Mele NaglerDirector: Stephen DaldryWriter: Eric Roth, based on the novel by Jonathan Safran FoerStarring: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, John Goodman, James Gandolfini, Viola Davis, Jeffrey Wright, Max von SydowThe Pitch: A boy (Horn) embarks on a quest through NY City to find the lock that fits a mysterious key left behind by his father, who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11. To read Back Stage's complete coverage of Awards Season, please get our FREE SAG Nomination Committee Guide. Or follow all our daily coverage with Back Stage's new online Awards Season section. Casting Standout: 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' By Sarah Kuhn November 23, 2011 PHOTO CREDIT Warner Bros. Pictures Casting director Mele Nagler scoured the world trying to find a boy who could believably portray 11-year-old Oskar Schell, the precocious protagonist in "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," adapted from Jonathan Safran Foer's novel. Over the course of the film, Oskar goes through a complex, keenly felt journey, so Nagler and director Stephen Daldry knew they needed an actor who had just the right combination of razor-sharp intellect and emotional availability. "Oskar is smarter than most adults," says Nagler. "He's an astute observer of the world. At the same time, the character is going through a tremendous lossa loss that even your emotionally evolved adult would have a hard time going through. How do you find a child who can access that?"At one point, Nagler recalls, she was getting audition tapes "by the truckload" from places as far-flung as Canada, England, and Australia. In addition to employing the usual casting methods, Nagler says she and the filmmakers tried to think "outside the box." In one of those outside-the-box moments, producer Scott Rudin mentioned that he'd seen a bright youngster named Thomas Horn win "Jeopardy!" during Kids Week the year before. Nagler tracked down Hornwho had never acted beforethrough the show. Horn put himself on tape and was eventually invited to be part of a "boot camp" involving the final set of actors being considered for the role. "It's an idea we stole from Stephen, because it's something that he does with all of his worldwide companies for 'Billy Elliot,' " Nagler says. "We brought them to NY and had them work with Stephen and his team for about a week. That process is pretty grueling."Through that process, the pool was narrowed down to Horn (who was 12 when he first auditioned and is now 14) and one other actor. "Then you take the leap," Nagler says. "Stephen has said this and I now live by this: At a certain point, you have to believe that this is the child and leap with them. It was clear that Thomas is an unbelievably special child, and now we're all at the point where we can't imagine it being anyone else."While Nagler was searching for the perfect Oskar, casting director Ellen Lewis was busy assembling a colorful crew of supporting characters, featuring A-listers Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks as Oskar's parents and beloved character player Zoe Caldwell as Oskar's grandmother. In every instance, Nagler reports, actors responded to the project immediately and with enthusiasm. "It's an amazing script and an amazing story that cannot help but touch someone," she says. "Whether you knew the book or read the screenplay, it was a project you wanted to be involved in."Lewis recalls that she and the filmmakers took "a deep, deep look throughout Europe" for actors, whether known or obscure, to play the pivotal role of a man renting a room from Oskar's grandmother. Ultimately, Max von Sydow won the part. "I had been lucky enough to cast him in 'Shutter Island,' " says Lewis, "so I was familiaras any cinephile would bewith his amazing work."John Goodman, James Gandolfini, and Jeffrey Wright also stepped in as key supporting players, and Viola Davis has a memorable turn as an important woman Oskar meets on his quest. "Scott Rudin had just worked with her in 'Fences,' where she had won a Tony, and was really committed to the idea of her in this role," says Lewis. "It could have gone many different ways, but you just couldn't say no to her in this role."One part of the job Lewis particularly relished was casting "wonderful NY character actors" like Adrian Martinez and Joseph McKenna in smaller supporting parts. Additionally, she enjoyed combing through submissions and seeking out players with various unusual talents. "We always look through every picture we get, really try to work with everybody," she says, "because you never know what you're going to be looking for."For instance, one smaller role required an actor who could play the cello. "There were several wonderful young actresses who played cello," says Lewis, but up-and-comer Jenson Smith ultimately won the part. "You just really get to meet wonderful people during the casting process. I always feel the small roles are what give the fabric and texture to a film. No role is too small, because in a wonderful project like this with a wonderful director, every single person is important. Every face is important."Casting Directors: Ellen Lewis and Mele NaglerDirector: Stephen DaldryWriter: Eric Roth, based on the novel by Jonathan Safran FoerStarring: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, John Goodman, James Gandolfini, Viola Davis, Jeffrey Wright, Max von SydowThe Pitch: A boy (Horn) embarks on a quest through NY City to find the lock that fits a mysterious key left behind by his father, who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11. To read Back Stage's complete coverage of Awards Season, please get our FREE SAG Nomination Committee Guide. Or follow all our daily coverage with Back Stage's new online Awards Season section.

Joe Manganiello: True Blood stream Season 5 Might Have Plenty Of Hot Werewolf Chicks

First Launched: November 18, 2011 4:01 PM EST Credit: WireImage La, Calif. -- Caption Joe Manganiello reaches Spike Televisions Scream Honours 2011 at Universal Art galleries Backlot, Hollywood, on October 15, 2011If Season 4 of HBOs True Blood stream was the summer season in the witch, it might seem like the next installment in the vampire-introduced drama will probably be by mentioning werewolves. Theyre casting plenty of new werewolves, plenty of hot werewolf chicks, Joe Manganiello, who plays fan favorite Alcide round the Cinemax series, told Access Hollywood Correspondent Tim Vincent on Thursday evening within the GQ 2011 Males of year party in La. Joes character, Alcide, aided finish the reign and existence of packmaster Marcus in Season 4 and actress Dale Dickey recently grew to become an associate from the cast as Marcus most most likely grieving mother. And knowing by Joes comments to get into, theres trouble along the way for Alcide. We now have Dale Dickey, whos grew to become an associate from the cast from Winters Bone, who's awesome, Joe spoken. I cant wait to make use of her but theres likely to be some werewolves that are gonna give Alcide some trouble this season, too. Im anxious to find out who theyll cast. If Joe drops further hints on red-colored-colored carpets since the cast prepares in your thoughts to pay attention to Season 5 of True Blood stream, fans may want to bear in mind. I realize everything thats likely to occur in Season 5, however cant discuss it until probably this time around around next season, he added. True Blood stream Season 5 is slated revisit Cinemax in summer season 2012. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

'Snow Whitened and also the Huntsman' Trailer: Kristen Stewart's Heart around the Menu for Charlize Theron

Mirror mirror around the wall, who's the fairest of all of them? If "them" is Hollywood's apparently neverending way to obtain Snow Whitened movies, and "fairest" is which has got the most buzz in the given moment, then raise a glass for 'Snow Whitened and also the Huntsman'! The very first trailer for that fantasy epic with Christian Serratos, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron has showed up online, and presents a film rife with action, spectacle, cheesy over-the-top-ness, and heart-eating. Apparently. And also you thought K-Stew might have things simpler after she stopped being Jacob Black! Directed by Rupert Sanders, Universal's 'Snow Whitened and also the Huntsman' comes to theaters next June. Hopefully, Universal Boss Ron Meyer does not later slam the film as "shitty." Mind to Apple to look at in HD. [Photo: Universal] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Access Hollywood Live: Michael Chiarellos Italian Feast Recipes

First Published: November 2, 2011 12:44 PM EDT Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Billy Bush and Kit Hoover with chef Michael Chiarello on Access Hollywood Live on November 2, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Chef Michael Chiarello chef & owner of Botegga in Napa Valley, and a contestant on Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs on the Food Network, stopped by Access Hollywood Live to share some of his amazing recipes for declicious Italian cuisine! Roasted Butternut Squash and Mushrooms with Burrata (Recipe Courtesy: Michael Chiarellos Bottega Cookbook) Serves 6 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more if needed 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 5 cups 1-inch cubes butternut squash (about 2 1/2 pounds) Brown-Butter Vinaigrette: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Pinch of sea salt, preferably gray salt, or kosher salt 3 1/2 cups mushrooms, any variety (see cooks note below) 2 shallots, thinly sliced Sea salt, preferably gray salt, and freshly ground black pepper 12 ounces (3 balls) burrata Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over high heat and add 2 tablespoons of the butter and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. When the butter foams, add the squash and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until caramelized and lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Slide the pan into the oven and roast until a deeper brown on the edges, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette: Heat a small saut pan over medium heat, add the butter, and when it foams, brown the sage for just a minute, and then pour in the vinegar and let it reduce by half. Dont stir or touch it. Just keep it at a simmer, gently reducing until thickened. Add the salt when its the consistency of a light syrup. Turn off the heat but leave the pan on the stove while you saut the mushrooms Heat a medium saut pan or skillet over medium-high heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. When the butter foams, add the mushrooms and saut until they begin to release their water, about 8 minutes. Add the shallots to the pan and saut until brown, tossing so they cook evenly. Season with salt and pepper and add another 1/2 tablespoon of butter if they look dry. To serve: Divide the squash and the mushrooms evenly among 6 plates. With your hands, tear the burrata into pieces, scattering them over the vegetables. Drizzle with the vinaigrette. Cooks Note: You can use any combination of mushrooms here. I like matsutakes, chanterelles, shiitakes, or morels but use what looks best at the farmers market or in the produce section. ********** Spaghettini Cooked in Zinfandel with Spicy Rapini and Pecorino Romano (Recipe Courtesy: Chef Michael Chiarello, 2011) Serves 4 as main course, or 8 as first course 1 1/2 pounds rapini or broccoli rabe 1 pound spaghettini 1 750-ml red wine, preferably zinfandel 1 tablespoon sugar 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons sliced garlic (about 4 medium cloves) 1 teaspoon Calabrian chili paste 1 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt, preferably gray salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano Bring an 8-quart pot of salted water to a boil, cook the rapini for about 3 minutes, and then transfer to a sheet tray and spread it out to cool. Using the same water, cook the spaghettini for half the normal time, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes. Youll do the second half of the cooking in the zinfandel. Reserve one cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside. Return the empty pasta pot to the stove. Youll saut the garlic at the same time that you finish cooking the pasta in wine. Pour the wine and the sugar into the drained pasta pot and boil vigorously over high heat to reduce 50 percent, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the spaghettini to the pot and shake the pot to prevent the pasta from sticking. Gently stir with tongs until coated and boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 6 minutes (pasta will be al dente). While the pasta cooks in the wine, heat a large deep skillet until hot. Pour in the olive oil. When the oil is hot, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the garlic. Cook until the garlic is pale golden, about 3 minutes. When the garlic is golden, add the chili paste and the blanched rapini to the skillet, add salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Add the garlic, chili paste, and blanched rapini to the purple spaghettini, toss gently, and transfer onto individual plates or one big platter. Finish with grated pecorino cheese. For more, visit MichaelChiarello.com. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.