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In a signing that will make millions of his fans happy, Kiefer Sutherland came to agreement with 20th Centure Fox Television that will ensure that the hit series "24" will continue on for another three seasons. Included in the agreement will be a two-year deal that will allow Sutherland to develop other projects under his own production banner.

The details of the agreement aren't available, but Reuters said that unidentified sources say that Sutherland will get $40 million just for his acting role alone in the drama hit. This will make him the highest paid actor on the series. The agreement will also include Sutherland as one of the executive producers of the show, along with several others.

The drama is also attracting knock-off products as there is a game that is a DVD best seller and a film that is based upon the series that is in the making. Some issues have arisen that have put that project on hold.

Sutherland comments that "It was really [the executive producers] realizing that if we were going to squeeze it in during the break, we would have been rushing it, if we were going to do it, we would do it next summer. It's still a big 'if.' We would not go forward unless we thought we could do it right."

For me this couldn't be better news as it is one of my two favorite television shows I watch. I hope Sutherland doesn't spread himself too thin and dilute the quality projects that he is involved with.

He is also going to be in the movie "The Sentinel" which he stars with Michael Douglas and Kim Basinger.

Over a dozen pet owners have file a lawsuit against Hollywood Paws "alleging Hollywood Paws collected tens of thousands of dollars but failed to deliver auditions, Hollywood connections and prints of doggie head shots."

Even though it's primarily a dog training school, some of the animals trained by Hollywood Paws have been put into a number of commercials and movies, including "Beauty and the Geek," "Air Buddies."

One owner's dog was set up for an audition and the scene which was set for "The Tyra Banks Show" was cut. The owner, one of those suing the company, said, "I lost a lot of money." She even asked if she could have a shot of her dog with Tyra Banks, which Hollywood Paws owner Larry Lionetti, was alleged to say "When we go out on set, you can't act like a groupie."

"Work is not up to the school. It is up to producers and directors," Lionetti responded. "I gave good training. We have wonderful results."

This story didn't make much sense until I read the bottom of the article and found that a union that represents Hollywood animal trainers was involved.

Lawyer Robert Cantore representing Teamsters Local 399, said, "playing off people's dreams of either getting their dog into the motion-picture industry or making hundreds of thousands of dollars in the industry" as a trainer.

"Either dream is virtually unattainable."
 
This pretty much tells the whole story of why an animal training school is being sued by pet star owner wannabees; the union just can't stand having the competition.

Scout from Air Buddies hollywoodpaws

With a lot of buzz around the coming reunion of Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in the forthcoming comedy-drama "A Little Game Without Consequence, it is somewhat a surprise to hear that they have dropped out of the project reportedly because of "substantive creative differences.," according to Reuters, citing Hollywood Reporter.

The movies director Gabriele Muccino, has also left the production for the same reasons.

Evidently, the major problem was concerning changes in the script that took the film in another direction than the actors were originally told.

Focus Features said:

"Due to amicable but substantive creative differences, Focus Features and producers Alain Chabat and Stephanie Danan are no longer making 'A Little Game' with Gabriele Muccino. We are actively seeking a suitable replacement and plan to move forward with the project when that happens."

Sources said that the three wanted to keep the films original dark tone, while Focus wanted to make a movie that would appeal to a wider audience.

Carrey has been having troubles all year as this is the third straight project that has hit a snag for him. While all the projects have had problems allegedly because of costs or script disagreements; the overall reasons are probably costs. Script disagreements ususally relate to the bottom line, even when the term "creative differences" is used.

The pressure has been heating up in Hollywood by investors to start seeing their investments make money. The days of pouring money down a creative hole is over for those that think that investments are their personal play money to burn through. Welcome to the new Hollywood.