Wednesday, September 30, 2009

PartyCasino.com Gold Mega Jackpot With The Porsche Payout

The Gold Mega Jackpot that currently stands at more than $4.1 million is the biggest prize in our history. To make this historic event even more memorable, we’re giving you the chance to drive away a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S if the jackpot is won between 22nd September and 5th October.

The player who earns the most PartyPoints between 00:00 ET on 22nd September and 23:59 ET on 5th October by playing the Gold Mega Jackpot games: The Godfather, Mega Fortune Wheel, Super Joker, Super Mystic, Super Fortune Wheel and Super Star wins the sports car.

If the jackpot is not hit by 5th Oct 09, then we will split value of our Porsche ($80,000 EUR) in cash prizes to players who are ranked 1st to 600th on our leader board!

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

CryptoLogic Hooks Up With Virgin Games

Multi-year licensing deal provides at least 10 online casino games to top consumer brand

DUBLIN, IRELAND, Sep 28, 2009 -- CryptoLogic Limited today consolidated its position as a leading global developer of branded online betting games and Internet casino software by signing a multi-year licensing deal with Virgin Games, part of the Virgin Group.

The agreement enables Virgin Games to provide at least 10 of CryptoLogic's top branded and non-branded online slot games to its customers. The games include comic book classics and innovative casual slots, with some games linked into the CryptoLogic jackpot network. These games will bring a new level of enjoyment and rich content to players, while giving them a chance to win a jackpot that has reached over GBP 4 million, one of the online industry's largest prizes.

One game is already live on www.virgingames.com, with more scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of 2009 and further roll-outs planned in the first half of next year. The games will be deployed through Gaming Technology Solutions PLC, a CryptoLogic technology partner, on its GTS Edge platform.

The agreement is in line with CryptoLogic's build-once-license-often growth strategy and will generate recurring revenue based on a share of wagers placed by players.

Brian Hadfield, President and Chief Executive of CryptoLogic, said: "The deal with Virgin is another example of how CryptoLogic is building a solid platform for long-term growth by creating and licensing the industry's most exciting proprietary games to the world's marquee brands."

Virgin Games, a wholly owned subsidiary of Virgin Group, was set up in 2004 and has grown quickly to establish itself as one of the leading gaming sites in the UK.

Simon Burridge, Chief Executive of Virgin Games, said: "CryptoLogic has a track record of delivering the industry's most compelling games while the Virgin brand is widely associated with fun and great value. Our agreement is sure to be a winning combination delivering unrivalled enjoyment and potential prizes to Virgin Games' players."

About CryptoLogic(R) (www.cryptologic.com)

Focused on integrity and innovation, CryptoLogic Limited is a leading public developer and supplier of Internet gaming software. With more than 280 games, CryptoLogic has one of the most comprehensive casino suites on the Internet, with award-winning games featuring some of the world's most famous action and entertainment characters. The company's licensees include many top Internet gaming brands, including the "big four" international operators. CryptoLogic's leadership in regulatory compliance makes it one of the few companies with gaming software certified to strict standards similar to land-based gaming. WagerLogic(R) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CryptoLogic, is responsible for the licensing of gaming software and services to blue-chip customers that offer their games to non-U.S. based players around the world. For information on WagerLogic, please visit www.wagerlogic.com.

CryptoLogic's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CRY, CXY), the NASDAQ Global Select Market (CRYP) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (CRP).

About Virgin Games

Virgin Games, a wholly owned subsidiary of Virgin Group, was set up in 2004 and has grown quickly to establish itself as one of the leading gaming sites in the UK.

The company has something that no other gaming site has, and that's the chance to earn V-POINTS that can be swapped for loads of Virgin goodies including Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Miles. Players can also win Virgin prizes in regular promotions as well as cash.

Virgin Games' offices are based in Guernsey and the U.K.

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Friday, September 25, 2009

Jackpot Profiles and Bonus Profiles

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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Be Dazzled With The New Virgin Casino Online Slot Game, Bejeweled®

24th September 2009

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - Virgin Casino today announces the launch of its brand new online slot game, Bejeweled(R) - the first of many exciting and must-play games that Virgin Casino will be adding to its vast portfolio of games through the new integration with gaming platform provider, Game Technology Solutions (GTS).

Virgin Games has partnered with the platform provider to offer customers access to a wider range of premier games, the popular Bejeweled(R) being the first of many.

The aim of the game is to link adjacent gems of the same colour, both horizontally and vertically and match a set of three or more precious chains. Winning couldn't be easier, the more matches made, the higher the score and if more than three gems are linked wins are awarded. And that's not all, a whopping super Jackpot of 20,000 credits can also be won with a single bet!

As with all Virgin Casino games, players can also earn V POINTS - Virgin Games' loyalty points - every time they play. Offering players the chance to redeem their points for further Virgin rewards, including Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Miles or cold, hard cash, V POINTS can be transferred across Virgin Games portfolio of products, including Virgin Poker and Virgin Bingo.

Further big titles will be added to the Virgin Games portfolio in the coming months, ensuring a constant stream of new and exciting games to keep players' adrenalin going.

Virgin Casino launched under the Virgin Games brand in June 2004. The site was refreshed in June 2006, providing players with a greater choice of games and additional means of earning bonus points and rewards.

Bejeweled(R) is available on www.virgingames.com/casino

Notes to Editors
GTS plc is a leading global supplier of platform solutions for online gaming operations.

About Virgin Games
Virgin Games launched in June 2004 and has quickly established itself as one of the leading gaming websites in the UK. Virgin Games comprises three distinct offerings:

- Virgin Casino, brings consumers classic casino offerings like blackjack and roulette, as well as great feature slots like Monopoly, Cluedo, Dungeons and Dragons Fortress of Fortunes(TM) and the highly popular MegaJackpots progressive games, with a seeding value of Pounds Sterling 1,500,000

- Virgin Poker, part of the Boss Media network, offers a huge array of games and content for beginners through to experienced pros - as well as the most generous loyalty scheme in the industry

- Virgin Bingo, part of the Virtue Fusion network, offers cash prizes worth thousands of pounds in the progressive jackpots, as well as Virgin prize bingo and a range of unique Virgin Games bingo games.

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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Casino News Media - Global Gaming Directory - Media Man Australia News Update - 24th September 2009

PartyCasino.com releases Tarzan and High Noon online slots, and Multi-Hand Blackjack Pro

Virgin Games to release Bejeweled classic in coming days

CAP Down Under II coming to Australia, March 2010, land based casinos have interest

Ric Flair's NC Education Lottery Wooooo! scratch card a winner

Hulk Hogan may expand on igaming deals, The Hulkamania Experience and Marvel's "The Hulk" may be just the tip of the iceberg

Titan Poker to back European Championship of Online Poker V

James Packer's City Of Dreams, Macau, on the upswing, casino commissions on track

Crown Casino continues to attract world class entertainment acts, with Aussie Millions coming in January 2010

Crown Casino Brownlow Medal awards night see over indulgence of drinking

Harrah’s Entertainment debt restructure

Google may build upon igaming, following Monopoly City Streets

Playtech - Sega "Sonic" deal on cards this October

Multi currency casino options a favorite of gamblers

European Union legal outcomes may see online gaming go underground

PartyBets.com ramps up UFC and boxing sports betting, eating into BetUS.com, others

Sports betting - fixing and corruption can be linked to small % of athletes officials

Slots tournaments popular with punters

Horse racing slot machines may hit Australian TAB suburban outlets

Bingo online sector still growing

Gaming Entrepreneurs - reputation, deals, associates and bottom line show real industry power players... spin free zone

Macau caps junket fees at 1.25%, cutting casino costs

Media Man Australia and Casino News Media company and web network will add more sites

Cleopatra casino classic still world's #1 online casino game

Captain Cooks Casino enjoying strong popularity with Aussies, Asia Pacific region

Mobile casino game market still growing

Domain names investment trend continues, Media Man Australia and Global Gaming Directory in leading pack

Hitwise - Media Man Australia website makes top ten (January - June 2009)

Online casinos further ramp up safe gambling awareness

PartyGaming continues global domination on world's online casino, gaming markets, World Poker Tour, Noble Poker and Hollywood themed casino portfolio to further expand

Virgin Unite - Virgin Games campaign supported by Media Man Australia

Asia Pacific sector remains "promised land" for some igaming companies

PartyCasino.com wins Media Man Australia "Online Casino Of The Month" again

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

JUNGLE BOOGIE! THE LORD OF THE JUNGLE SWINGS INTO PARTYCASINO.COM

JUNGLE BOOGIE! THE LORD OF THE JUNGLE SWINGS INTO PARTYCASINO.COM MULTI-HAND BLACKJACK PRO FOR SERIOUS PLAYERS RETURN OF GOLD MEGA JACKPOT PORSCHE CHALLENGE!
Gibraltar – 22nd September 2009 – PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino’s latest product release sees the introduction of new slot Tarzan and a fresh new approach to blackjack in the form of Multi-Hand Blackjack Pro.

Tarzan is a 20 line, five reel branded slot game licensed from Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc based on the adventures of Tarzan ™, the Lord of the Jungle. The game features fully animated artwork based on the original Joe Kubert illustrations, a story bonus round, a Tarzan wild scatter which sees Tarzan swing across the screen and turn random symbols wild and a stampede free-spin bonus.

Multi-Hand Blackjack Pro is a fantastic update to PartyCasino.com’s blackjack product and features great new customisation options. Players can choose between a classic table, a laid back beach bar and a futuristic metallic look. Table colour and card backs can be further customised. Multi-Hand Blackjack Pro also features a new Turbo mode where players can increase the speed of their play.

A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "Multi-Hand Blackjack Pro features draw dropping design – can be fully customized and has a powerful turbo for serious players. Tarzan is another great themed slot and joins the recently added Resident Evil and The Naked Gun."

PartyCasino.com now offers over 130 games, including 93 slots, and pays out easily over $10 million EVERY DAY to players. The world’s largest online casino continues to expand rapidly – in fact the number of games on PartyCasino.com has more than DOUBLED in just seven months and there are a lot more games to come! Recent popular additions include Resident Evil, The Naked Gun, High Noon and Bejeweled. Both Tarzan and Multi-Hand BlackJack Pro were developed in house by PartyGaming’s specialist unit ‘The Games Studio.’

PartyCasino.com Gold Mega Jackpot has recently exceeded a record $3,903,000, the biggest in the industry, and can be won by playing the Gold Mega Jackpot games: The Godfather, Mega Fortune Wheel, Super Joker, Super Mystic, Super Fortune Wheel and Super Star!

If the industry leading jackpot is won within two weeks from today (Tuesday 22nd September) the player who earns the most PartyPoints by playing the Gold Mega Jackpot games: The Godfather, Mega Fortune Wheel, Super Joker, Super Mystic, Super Fortune Wheel and Super Star wins the sports car.

There is a leaderboard running through PartyAccount and if the jackpot is won within two weeks one of PartyGaming’s Palladium Lounge / VIP hosts will call with the news that the Porsche has been won. If the Gold Mega Jackpot is not won within two weeks from the 22nd September cash prizes will be awarded to players 1st – 600th on the leaderboard. 1st to 5th ranked players will share a prize pool of $46,000.* For more details and terms and conditions please see your individual PartyAccount.

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Saturday, September 19, 2009

Virgin Games: Rainbow Riches Win Big Shindig, Thor's Thunder, Richard Branson and more

Online casino fans, try your luck at the world famous casino endorsed by Sir Richard Branson... VirginCasino.com

Virgin Games most recent releases include Rainbow Riches Win Big Shindig and Thor's Thunder, and check out their other casino classics like Da Vinci Diamonds, Monopoly, Elvis, Five Times Pay and Double Diamond.

Jackpot hunters are bound to enjoy MegaJackpots titles such as MegaJackpots Cleopatra, MegaJackpots Monopoly and MegaJackpots Cluedo.

Virgin also offer one of the industries most highly regarded rewards offers, V*Points.

This month Virgin Games have also teamed up with Virgin Unite, and because it Virgin, you know there are trustworthy and know how to party.

Play for fun or play for money!

*Sorry, no U.S or Australian players

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Friday, September 18, 2009

New games for PartyCasino.com

Gibraltar-based PartyCasino.com advises it has a new collection of high profile branded slot themes in its latest release.

Headlining is the Capcom licensed Resident Evil and the Paramount-licensed The Naked Gun. This release also sees the introduction of the Paramount-licensed wild west film themed High Noon and popular puzzle game Bejeweled.

Resident Evil is a 20-line, five-reel slot based on the world famous survival horror video game series. The new slot has a free spin feature that awards additional spins, and two bonus game features that provide the chance to win extra prizes.

The game also features an expanding wild “Resident Evil” logo symbol. The “Resident Evil” logo symbol substitutes for all symbols—except the scattered ‘umbrella corporation’, ‘herb’ and money chest symbols. Three or more scattered umbrella corp. symbols anywhere in view triggers the Resident Evil feature.

The Naked Gun is also a 20-line, five-reel online slot machine but is based on the famous Leslie Nielsen movie series. The game is accompanied by the distinctive music and has four features that use great video footage of classic scenes from the films. The game also features a wild symbol which appears on reels one, two, three and four only. The wild ‘Naked Gun’ logo symbol substitutes for all symbols other than the scattered police siren symbol. Three or more scattered police siren symbols occurring anywhere in view triggers The Naked Gun feature games.

A company spokesman said: "The release of Resident Evil and The Naked Gun marks another big step forward for interactivity and game play for slots on PartyCasino.com"

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Paramount Pictures

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Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Casino News Media - Global Gaming Directory - Media Man Australia News Update

PartyGaming's PartyCasino.com Jackpot Exceeds 4 Million Euro

James Packer, Aussie media mogul resigns from Sunland Challenger, eyes U.S Casinos

Ocean’s Producer Claims Assistant Threatened Him With Gun

Gold Coast Titans, others, suspected of throwing games, News Limited reports

Online bingo still growing in Asia Pacific, United States, Europe

Bodog does Canada, global expansion plans

CryptoLogic talks re Disney buy of Marvel Entertainment, slots safe at least to 2012?

PartyCasino.com branded slot rumors; KISS, Bra Boys, Andre The Giant, Kerry Packer

Titan Casino offering huge sign up bonuses

Poker Cup Australia, satellites via PartyPoker.com, Noble Poker and Titan Poker

Egyptian themed online slot games mega popular, Cleopatra #1, Tomb Raider gains ground

Mobile casino games, mobile games - Australia's Media Man inundated by telco interest

Casino affiliate industry under spotlight, PartyPartners, Virgin Games, PKR, Rewards Affiliates remain strong

CAP Euro Rebranded Budapest Affiliate Conference

PKR Heads Up Event will feature Dwan and Schwartz

Bwin loses Portuguese monopoly challenge

Sky Vegas, Sky Bet, Sky Bingo, Sky Poker, Rupert Murdoch tries luck in igaming push

Virgin Casino gains with Rainbow Riches online slot

Media Man Australia website network approaching 3 million hits for month, Global Gaming Directory boosts figures

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Friday, September 04, 2009

Party Casino jackpot breaks $3.5 million mark

GIBRALTAR -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The Party Casino Gold Mega Jackpot recently climbed to over a staggering $3,535,000 and is still waiting to be hit! This jackpot is currently the biggest in online gaming!

A PartyCasino.com spokesman said: "The record Gold Mega Jackpot continues to grow and grow – it is currently the industry's biggest jackpot waiting to be won!

PartyCasino.com continues to rapidly expand its number of games. Newly licensed games have been added recently, more details of which will be released in the near future."

Gold Mega Jackpot games at PartyCasino.com are: The Godfather, Mega Fortune Wheel, Super Joker, Super Mystic, Super Fortune Wheel and Super Star.

Party Casino now offers over 130 games, including 91 slots, and pays out well over $10 million EVERY DAY to players. The world's largest online casino continues to expand - in fact the number of games on PartyCasino.com has more than DOUBLED in just seven months and there are a lot more games to come! Recent popular additions include old school classics such as King Kong and Wheel of Fortune while the swinging musical interactive slot Sinatra has proved to be popular.

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Hollywood and Australian News: The Avengers, Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Games, Spider-Man, WWE, John Cena, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, Paramount Pictures, Celebrity Gaming and casino news, Arcade And Slot games, Hollywood gossip, UFC...




The Avengers enjoys worldwide box office success; Breaking records...

Marvel superhero fans in Australia and around the world. We've got tons of news for you today. There's Avengers news, gaming and slot games, interviews, quotes, numbers, A WWE connection and more...

The Avengers proved that five superheroes are better than one by bursting into Hollywood's record books with a massive $197 million in ticket sales over its opening weekend in US and Canadian theatres, kicking off Hollywood's summer movie season with a bang.

The film now easily holds the record for greatest box office takings on its first weekend of cinema release, speeding past last summer's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows - Part 2, which opened with $166 million, and Batman franchise film The Dark Knight, according to Box Office Mojo.

In March, The Hunger Games opened with $150 million, the fourth largest opening in box office history.

The Avengers, which reunites Marvel comic heroes Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk and Black Widow, has collected $630 million since it opened in international markets on April 25.

"We keep thinking we have a sense of what this movie can do, or will do, and every time we get a report it does even better," said Dave Hollis, Disney's executive vice-president of distribution.

"This is very satisfying, to say the least."

Disney's aggressive marketing, which included promotions aimed at women that included sending stars to The View daytime talk show, resulted in women making up 40 per cent of the audience for the action film, according to Disney's survey. Half the audience was also over 25 years of age, the studio said.

Winner of the past two weekends, Sony's romantic comedy Think Like a Man, slipped to second place with $7.8 million at North American theatres, according to Hollywood.com.

Hunger Games, from Lions Gate Entertainment, took the No 3 spot in its seventh week in theatres, with $5.6 million, and has collected $374 million in US and Canadian theatres during its run.

Warner Brothers' The Lucky One landed in fourth place with $5.4 million, and the animated film The Pirates! Band of Misfits from Sony finished in fifth place with $5.3 million.

The undisputed success of Avengers brought Disney the type of redemption that Hollywood loves to put on screen. In March, Disney released the expensive sci-fi adventure film John Carter, one of the biggest flops in box office history. The company said it expects to lose up to $196 million on that film.

Avengers is the first Marvel film released by Disney since the media and theme park giant purchased Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $3.9 billion, a move to expand its appeal to boys with a stable of superheroes.

Disney would not say whether it plans to make a sequel. Sequels to films based on the Thor and Iron Man characters are scheduled for next year and Captain America in 2014.

About 52 per cent of The Avengers ticket sales came from higher-priced 3D tickets, Disney said.

The first weekend in May kicks off Hollywood's summer movie-going season, a four-month period typically filled with big-budget action movies and sequels. Coming movies include Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spider-Man, Men in Black 3, and Battleship. (Reuters)


Scarlett Johansson: comic book movie superhero...

Scarlett Johansson first enrolled in the Marvel comic book superhero universe when she was introduced as the mysterious Black Widow opposite Robert Downey Jr. in the 2010 blockbuster Iron Man 2.

The action-filled movie role marked a massive change of direction for the actress, who's known more for low-key performances in films like Sofia Coppola's drama Lost in Translation or Woody Allen's sly comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

But Johansson is in fighting form to reprise her role as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, in Marvel Studios' The Avengers. With her bright red hair and sexy latex suit, the Black Widow teams up with Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye and Thor to stop the evil Loki from conquering Earth with his army.

Johansson sat down with media to talk about the film, the fighting style she learned for her role and what it was like to master her character's native Russian language.

Black Widow was introduced in Iron Man 2 but gets far more exposure in The Avengers. How did you expand the character?

At the end of Iron Man 2, we know she's a part of S.H.I.E.L.D., but we don't know what S.H.I.E.L.D. is. In this film, (director) Joss Whedon and I talked about her past. Who is she? How does she get to be a mercenary? What path do you follow in order to get to that place? We both wanted to see the darker side of her - not just that she's someone who is highly skilled, but why did she have to learn those skills?

You're in top form physically on screen. What new fighting skills did you learn?

We incorporated this Wushu style (of fighting) when the Widow wields a huge alien gun. That was new and really challenging. I had to learn how to spin it and move it. It was hard because I'd hit myself with it all the time. And it's heavy.

You learn (by using) a broom handle so you're like, 'Ah, I got it down, I've mastered it.' Then all of a sudden they're like, 'Here's the prop' and you're like, 'What? This thing is 20 pounds!' I was so terribly battered. I'd wake up every day in agony but it was a continuous thing, so it became normal (laughs).

Black Widow also speaks in her native Russian language, which you seemed to nail. Was it difficult to learn?

I had two days, so I had to learn it phonetically. I knew what I was saying but I had to be able to pronounce it and breathe some life into the lines so that it didn't sound like I was repeating some Berlitz tape.

We hired this great Russian translator, and she worked with the dialogue coach. She was really expressive, which helped, so my mouth found the words in a way that didn't just sound like I was a parrot.

You often play with hair color in your movie roles. Did you enjoy being a redhead for the duration of the shoot?

It's nice because it allows me to go a bit under the radar - people don't expect me to have that color of hair. I'm always happy when I do it because it's the first step of the process of finding the character again.

To me more than anything, the hair color represents a huge piece of work that we dive head first into. And I'm really happy when I can wash it out because then I'm like, 'Yes, It's finished, we actually did it!' Out it goes and you know you've accomplished something.

You're the only female Avenger in the cast. Did your male co-stars treat you any differently because of that?

If anything, the guys weren't as delicate with me as I thought they would be. They like to play hard and always dragged me along for the ride. I'd always come back with battle wounds. But they're a great group of guys. All of us got on so well.

Who did you spend most of your time with on location in New Mexico?

Jeremy (Renner, Hawkeye) because (we share scenes) together a lot. We fight together, so we had to do a lot of our stunt training together. We had the same battle wounds! Tom (Hiddleston, Loki), Jeremy and I spent a lot of time in the stunt gym because we fight so much hand to hand, so we ended up hanging out together. But we all equally had a closeness.

What was the dynamic like with all of you?

We're all fans of each other's work. Some of us have worked together in the past. Chris Evans and I have made three movies together. Sam Jackson and I made three movies together. Mark Ruffalo I've known for quite some time. Every time Robert (Downey Jr.) was on set, it was like, so alive.

We're just lucky that there was no diva on set. It was everybody trying to support one another. It was really nice to have that.

The Avengers is screening now (to packed and very enthusiastic audiences).


Disney's "The Avengers" a winner for Paramount Pictures also: source...

Walt Disney's blockbuster "The Avengers" has five superheroes and record ticket sales. It also has a silent partner in Viacom's Paramount Pictures, which is in line to to get a massive payday even though the studio didn't spend a cent to produce or market the film.

Paramount Pictures already snatched $57.5 million in April, when the film was released internationally. And it stands to collect 8 percent of the millions that the film will earn in theaters, on DVD, and when it is watched on the Internet, according to two people with knowledge of the business deal.

Under a 2005 distribution agreement between Paramount Pictures and Marvel, Paramount receives a distribution fee for the theatrical distribution of "The Avengers" as well as its distribution of its home video, Internet and TV rights. That agreement transferred to Disney, when Disney acquired Marvel for a cool $4 billion in 2009.

Disney and Paramount agreed in 2010 to amend that agreement, giving Disney the rights to distribute Marvel-produced "The Avengers" and "Iron Man 3," the second sequel to the 2008 film that Paramount distributes. That agreement stipulated that Disney would pay Paramount a $115 million advance against future fees that Paramount would have earned.

Half of that fee was paid when Disney released "The Avengers" in international markets.

Spokesmen for Disney and Paramount declined to comment on the matter.

Paramount does not have rights to merchandise from the Marvel movies, and Iger told investors after the deal closed that he signed the getting the movie rights allows he to rev up Disney's marketing machine.

"Not only will we distribute it and market it, but we know that Marvel is working really hard with the cooperation of a number of entities at Disney to turn The Avengers into a true franchise," he said on the earnings call.

Studios and theater owners generally split ticket sales 50-50, meaning that Disney has collected $320.9 million based on "The Avengers" $641.8 million in worldwide ticket sales. Paramount's $25.7 million take would be applied against the pre-paid fee from Disney.

The two parties also agreed that "The Avengers" would appear on the Epix online and premium TV service that Paramount owns with Lions Gate Entertainment and the famous MGM studio. That's a big boost for the nearly three-year-old channel. Disney is legally obligated to show most of its movies on the Starz pay channel.

What size Paramount's take will be depends on how big a hit "The Avengers" becomes. The deal gets even sweeter for Paramount Pictures in 2013, when Disney is scheduled to release the third Iron Man. Paramount will get 9 percent of the money that film will generate.

It's going to be tough to match the hulking numbers of 'The Avengers', but the studios and business partners in on the action should be looking at plenty more green stuff generated from the ultra successful and cool Marvel franchise. Movies, games, fashion...what's next? Stay tuned true believers.


The Amazing Spider-Man Games Let's You Play Stan Lee...

True Believers, get ready for spectacular news — Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and Spider-Man Merchandising L.P., a subsidiary of Marvel today announced some amazing pre-order exclusives for fans that reserve an early copy of The Amazing Spider-Man™ video game in North America.

Planned to launch June 26th, the game brings Spidey back to the thrill of free-roaming through Manhattan in an original epilogue story to Sony Picture Entertainment's upcoming feature film. The pre-order exclusives for The Amazing Spider-Man video game are available today and include the Rhino Challenge from GameStop and a special mission featuring a fully playable Stan Lee from Amazon.com.

Take control of the massive, genetically engineered villain RHINO and rampage around Manhattan in an exclusive gameplay challenge of pure destruction! As Rhino, players will be able to unleash his formidable powers to destroy anything and everything that gets in his way in a timed event full of speed, combo streaks, and of course, a ton of things to break! Unlockable for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 system ONLY.

All the rumors can officially be put to rest — for the first time ever, fans will be able to play…STAN…LEE as himself in The Amazing Spider-Man. Players will take on the role of Stan "The Man" Lee in his own special mission across Manhattan, borrowing abilities from his old pal Spider-Man as they help Stan collect pages of his latest script in a spectacular race around Manhattan. Stan's mission is punctuated with his witty banter that fans have come to know and love, and a special surprise waits for them at the end of the mission — after all, it is Spider-Man's 50th anniversary this year! Unlockable for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 system ONLY.

Go beyond the feature film and find out what happens next in The Amazing Spider-Man™ video game, which brings Spider-Man's free-roaming, web-slinging action back to New York City. Players take on the role of a young Peter Parker discovering his new Spider-Man powers and added Super Hero responsibilities, using the game's innovative Web Rush mechanic to swing freely around Manhattan, combat a variety of criminal activities and take on classic Marvel Super Villains. Set against an original story crafted by Hollywood writer Seamus Kevin Fahey (episodes of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena and the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica) that takes place entirely after the events of the upcoming feature film, The Amazing Spider-Man video game delivers a brand-new, immersive and cinematic adventure allowing players to truly harness the power of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

For more information on The Amazing Spider-Man video game, please check out http://www.TheAmazingSpiderManGame.com and
http://www.Facebook.com/TheAmazingSpiderManGame


The Avengers video game in the works...

Now that they've saved the world on film, The Avengers are teaming up for a motion-control video game.

Ubisoft Entertainment have announced a partnership with Marvel Entertainment to create a game based on the popular Marvel superhero posse. The game will be titled Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth and will be released for both the upcoming Wii U console from Nintendo Co. and the camera-based Kinect system for the Xbox 360 from Microsoft.

"The idea that we're making a motion-control version of The Avengers is a unique proposition if you compare that to superhero games of the past," said Tony Key, Ubisoft's vice president of sales and marketing.

"This is the perfect type of game for that because these characters are very action oriented. They're always fighting and throwing things."

Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth will focus on such characters as Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and the Hulk fending off an invasion of genetically altered Skrull aliens. The title will feature more than 20 characters from the Marvel universe and would be based on the Secret Invasion comic series, not the recent film.

No release date was announced, but Key said the disc-based title is expected to launch after Nintendo debuts the Wii U later this year. The successor to Nintendo's Wii will feature high-definition graphics, increased online capabilities and a touch-pad controller. He said more details about the game would be unveiled at next month's Electronic Entertainment Expo.

The game will be the latest addition to Ubisoft's motion-control arsenal. Previous titles released by the Canadian publisher that rely on gesture-based devices include the artsy shooter Child of Eden, street brawler Fighters Uncaged, superhero dueler PowerUp Heroes, the Your Shape fitness franchise and top-selling Just Dance series.

Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth will mark the first time that the Assassin's Creed publisher has developed a game based on a franchise from Marvel, which was purchased in 2009 by The Walt Disney. The developers previously worked with Avatar director James Cameron to craft a third-person 3D action-adventure game set on the planet Pandora.

Sega created each of the games pegged to the films of The Avengers forerunners, including last year's Thor: God of Thunder and Captain America: Super Soldier, but there was no console game released this year alongside director Joss Whedon's blockbuster The Avengers, just the mobile game Marvel's The Avengers and Facebook title "Marvel: Avengers Alliance."

Fans freaked out last year over unofficial footage and concept art posted online of a first-person Avengers game that was reportedly in development by THQ. The footage of Iron Man, the Hulk, Captain America and Thor battling the infamous Skrull was yanked by Marvel from YouTube. A representative for Marvel declined to be interviewed for this story.

Traditionally, games based on Marvel movies have been released around the same time as their super-powered counterparts to benefit from parallel buzz. The open-world action-adventure title The Amazing Spider-Man from Activision. is set for release June 26, ahead of director Marc Webb's film of the same name on July 3.

The big-screen adaptation of The Avengers starring Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye has smashed box office records, earning $US207.4 million in the US in its opening weekend.

"For us, that obviously raises the brand itself to an even higher level, and that's good for our video game because we have an opportunity to reach a broader audience than just the guys who love comic book characters," said Key, who added that Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth would be family friendly despite the game's focus on fighting.

Marvel's superheroes have been a dominant presence throughout the history of games. They most recently assembled for the Capcom brawler "Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3" and the Activision role-playing sequel Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. Gazillion Entertainment is currently developing a free-to-play online game featuring them called Marvel Heroes. Website: www.AvengersBattleForEarth.com


Robert Downey Jr. learns to be a team player...

Billionaire genius Tony Stark had to learn to play well with others in "The Avengers" after he was the main attraction in two "Iron Man" films.

So did Robert Downey Jr., though his path to superhero team player came without the fisticuffs and rivalries that Stark stumbles into with his fellow Avengers, who beat up on one another a bit before they figure out how to work as a group.

Downey has had a long time to get ready for something beyond his close-up in the solo outings as Stark, the Marvel Comics superhero in a metal suit. The idea that Downey would become part of an ensemble of heroes was teased at the end of the first "Iron Man," with "Avengers" producer and Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige steering such follow-ups as "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger" toward that aim.

"I had five years to prepare myself, because Kevin Feige and the Marvel team had been saying that it was kind of heading toward this," Downey said.

The film debuted this past weekend in the United States with $200.3million at the box office, a record opening that surpasses last year's "Harry Potter" finale. The film casts Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, head of peacekeeping agency S.H.I.E.L.D., which rounds up a dream team of good guys (Downey's Iron Man, Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth's Thor, Chris Evans' Captain America, Mark Ruffalo's Incredible Hulk and Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye) to battle Thor's evil brother (Tom Hiddleston), who plots to subjugate humanity.

While it's an all-star cast, Downey's the mega-star. But unlike the diva moments among Stark and some of the other alpha dogs of the Avengers, there was no big-footing among the performers, according to the actors and director Joss Whedon.

Adjusting to ensemble life simply continued the path on which Stark and his healthy ego have been all along, Downey said.

"Personally, the 'Iron Man' series so far has always been about making space for others and collaborating," Downey said. "It's Tony's quote-unquote story, but it's always about all the folks we get around him who are kind of what make him interesting or give him someone or something to fight."

Stitching together so many characters and storylines could have turned into herding cats, but the communal structure meant no single actor had to carry the action all of the time.

Everyone took turns at center stage, and each got to take welcome breathers during the long shoot, Downey said.

"It was like a complicated pregnancy," Downey said. "What was fun, this bit of WWE superhero tag-team wrestling, is where Hemsworth's all beat up and he's been shooting nights, and my character's got the helmet closed, so I'm not there. Then he's flying home to be with the missus, and I'm coming in to do a bunch of scenes with Ruffalo. I think everybody really bought into the spirit of the thing."

Downey, 47, is preparing to shoot "Iron Man 3" in Wilmington, which is due in theaters in May 2013. The film reunites Downey with his "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" director Shane Black.

He won't disclose details, but Downey said the next installment is a "sort of storytelling that's really in Shane's wheelhouse, which is it doesn't need to be quite as linear, and Tony definitely is brought out of his comfort zone. So there's a lot of travel in this."

A third "Sherlock Holmes" movie also is in the works, with Downey's great detective expected to travel to North America this time.

Amid his two film franchises, Downey's busy with a newborn son with his wife, producer Susan Downey, with whom he has formed a film production company.

It's uncertain whether Downey will be back as Stark after "Iron Man 3," either in another solo film or a second "Avengers" tale. With his fourth Marvel flick getting under way, though, Downey said he feels he has a vested interest in the superhero business.

"It's dumb not to be open to possibilities, you know?" Downey said. "I kind of almost feel like a shareholder in the company, even sometimes more than an actor in the movies."


No small roles for megastar Downey...

This won’t come as a surprise to anyone who sat through the credits of The Avengers, or who simply looked at the film’s record-breaking box office sales this past weekend. Still, fans (and investors) will be glad to hear that Disney CEO Bob Iger just announced that the company is developing a sequel. The film’s success “is a great illustration of why we like Marvel so much.” Demand for Avengers merchandise has been strong, he added.


Note Of The Rock Making Comment About John Cena And Divorce...

During the build to the WrestleMania 28 main event, The Rock held a "Rock Concert" on the March 12, 2012 edition of WWE RAW.

Not having learned about the news of John Cena filing to divorce his wife this week, one verse of The Rock's song stands out.

"Rock saw Cena makin' out with Eve, Grabbin' on her thigh, tuggin' on her weave. Cena was havin' the time of his life, I guess he didn't tell her that he's got a wife. Let's rock. Everybody let's rock. Divorce lawyer's right up the block, but we're dancing because Cleveland Rocks."

There have been no reports of Cena being romantically involved with Eve but it was known The Rock and John Cena were legitimately taking personal shots at each other during their promos building to their match.

TMZ.com did report that John Cena was open about his marital problems with his co-workers in the WWE locker room. It seems The Rock's remarks about Cena's wife and a "divorce lawyer right up the block" hit closer to home than we realized at the time.


Celebrity Gambling List...

Nothing is more entertaining than watching gambling celebs in action. Celebrity gamblers consist of the biggest VIPs you would find in Las Vegas. Just being stars they are pampered with the luxurious lifestyle that is offered to them at the numerous Las Vegas casinos and hotels.

Though most celebrities enter games and tournaments for fun, there are some who enter into special tournaments to help raise money for an orphanage and other causes. Some actually played to win money like you and I. Most of these casino gambling celebs play in poker tournaments, like Ben Affleck. Read more below about the top 10 USA Celebrity Gamblers.

Top 10 USA Celebrity Gamblers...

Ben Affleck – star of great Hollywood pictures like Pearl Harbor, Daredevil and Armageddon is one of the most serious gamblers and perhaps the most accomplished poker player. In 2004, the star outsmarted professional poker star Stan Goldstein and 90 other players winning $356,400. He also won a $25,000 seat in the WPT 2005 Championship.

Hugh Hefner – Hefner owns the Playboy Club & Fantasy Tower in Las Vegas. Playboy now operates as a land-based casino and as an online casino in USA. The Fantasy Tower includes casino games such as blackjack, roulette, and playboy themed slot machines. Mr. Hefner plays many casino games, but you can bet he has played strip poker with a couple of his bunnies.

Matt Damon – the star of The Talented Mr. Ripley, Bourne identity, Dogma, and star of one of the best poker movies ever, Rounders, was tutored to play poker by the legend Johnny Chan. The actor is quite passionate about gambling and considers himself as an excellent poker player.

Matthew Perry - "Could this flush be any more royal?" Best known as Chandler Bing from the award winning televisions series ‘Friends’ is yet another good poker player. He regularly plays at tournaments and other charity events including Celebrity Poker Showdown TV show. Matthew is indeed a VIP at the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas.

Frank Sinatra – the biggest and best singer ever known in the history of music had performed several shows in Las Vegas. After all the time he spent in Las Vegas, Sinatra started to share his love for gambling. Known to play with his mob friends and other celebs.

The Queen – yes Her Royal Highness herself rarely misses out on gambling lifestyle. The Queen has a passion for making sports bets and loves slots machines.

George Clooney – inspired by his motion picture Oceans 11, 12 and 13, George Clooney has invested $3 billion in a Vegas casino complex along with co-star Brad Pitt.

Macy Gray – very famous singer and songwriter and not forgetting a celeb poker star made her appearance in Bravo’s Celebrity Poker Showdown and completed the contest in third place.

Brad Pitt – and his gambling friend George Clooney have both invested around $3 billion in luxury Vegas casinos like the Vegas Casino Complex.

Teddy Sheringham – Also a poker fan and former soccer player in the UK for Manchester United is the longest serving playboy. He is quite regular on the celeb poker circuit. Retired from football he was recently made the Ambassador for online giants VC poker, where he will provide support for tournament players.


Bill Goldberg Talks WWE, Pro Wrestling And 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin Dream Match...

On his and Brock Lesnar's initial departure from WWE: "Obviously it was kind of unfinished business. We both left there under circumstances that weren't the most favorable for anybody, let alone the fans who are the most important at the end of the day."

On Lesnar in general: "Brock, as a young kid, he succeeded in every single thing that he did. To venture out and try to play professional football without having college experience — LaVar will tell you how hard that is. Big pat on the back to him for that. And then going to MMA and succeeding and becoming the World Heavyweight Champion. Whatever Brock wants to do, I'm in his corner. He's a good buddy of mine and we talk frequently. I just hope at the end of the day whatever he chooses his health is in a positive note. We all know he's had some issues over the past number of years."

On having a final match: "It's really tough for a guy like myself. Look at a guy like Animal. Look at Road Warrior. Look at guys who are big power guys. . . the older you get the harder it is to be that guy."

He added his ideal final match would be against Steve Austin: "That'd be a dream come true… that'd be killer. I think at the end of the day they probably don't trust me enough to put me in there with guys, considering I'm 'a dangerous guy to work with' and 'I haphazardly ended Bret Hart's career.' At the end of the day these people have to understand it's a violent deal, number one. Number two, accidents happen. And number three, that's why I work in Japan — they don't cry if you hit them …That's a joke."


CMT, Steve Austin Team for Redneck Island; Former Pro Wrestler Signs Development Deal...

CMT has inked a development deal with actor and former WWE superstar Steve Austin, tapping him as host of a new 10-episode series, Redneck Island.

Produced by 51 Minds Entertainment, Redneck Island takes 12 red, white and blue-collared Americans out of the South, far away from cold beer, and drops them in a tropical paradise where they will compete for $100,000. The series will debut in June, paired with a second season of CMT's hit series, My Big Redneck Vacation.

As part of his development deal, Austin will look to produce additional series for CMT with his production company, Broken Skull Ranch Productions.

"I am thrilled to join the CMT family and for the opportunity to work with them on future projects," Austin said. "I'm also excited to work with the great folks at 51 Minds Entertainment on Redneck Island. If there's one thing I know, it's how to keep a bunch of rednecks in line. And that's the bottom line!"

Redneck Island begins with 12 men and women competing as teams in a fight for $100,000 cash. From a remote location, Austin will guide the contestants through a number of hilarious mental and physical challenges designed to celebrate the group's strengths and limitations. At the end of each episode, teammates will send one competitor packing.

One of the most popular pro wrestling superstars of all time, Austin has been reinventing himself since retiring from the ring in 2003. The WWE Hall of Fame inductee hit the big screen in 2010 in Sylvester Stallone's action thriller, The Expendables, co-starring alongside a who's who in action films. He followed that project with the lead role in Damage, one of Fox Home Video's best-selling releases.

In 2011, he starred in The Stranger and Hunt to Kill, both released by Anchor Bay. Austin also served as host for the USA Network's hit reality series, Tough Enough. Future projects include The Package with Dolph Lungdren and Maximum Conviction with Steven Seagal.


WWE® CFO George Barrios to Participate in the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Telecom Conference on May 16th...

STAMFORD, Conn. -- WWE (NYSE:WWE) announced today that its Chief Financial Officer, George A. Barrios, will participate in the 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Telecom Conference, on May 16, 2012, in Boston, MA.

Mr. Barrios’ remarks are expected to begin at approximately 4:10 p.m. ET. A live audio webcast will be available online at corporate.wwe.com/investors. Also, a replay of the presentation will begin shortly after the actual presentation time and will be available until August 14, 2012.

WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 600 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul and Tokyo.

Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

If you have additional questions, please contact WWE Investor Relations via e-mail at investor.relations@wwecorp.com.

Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television and pay-per-view programming distribution agreements; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; our exposure to bad debt risk; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing and travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks relating to our film business; risks relating to increasing content production for distribution on various platforms, including the potential creation of a WWE Network; risks relating to our computer systems and online operations; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant.


Videogame Classic Space Invaders launched as online slot game...

FremantleMedia Enterprises has signed a two-year agreement with Square Enix to develop the arcade videogame classic Space Invaders as an online slot game.

Launched in 1978, the original Space Invaders game ignited an entertainment medium and founded a gaming generation. The new online slot game will target UK and European players and be available to customers via the OpenBet and GTS platforms later in the year.

Simon Murphy, head of gambling EMEA, said: “The deal with Square Enix further demonstrates our goal to become one of the leading developers and distributors of premium branded gaming content.”

FME’s gambling division has previously licensed, developed and distributed branded games for online, mobile and land-based slots across a number of brands including The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, The Price Is Right and Family Fortunes.


Casino King James Packer really aiming for Echo Entertainment...

Gaming analysts believe billionaire James Packer would consider offloading some of Queensland's casinos if he is successful in acquiring the Echo Entertainment Group.

Greg Fraser, a senior analyst at Fat Prophets, said yesterday that Mr Packer's real goal in his expected takeover tilt for Echo was to snare the scandal-plagued Star Casino in Sydney and merge it into his Crown group.


Apology after monks caught gambling, smoking...

The head of South Korea's largest Buddhist order has made a public apology after video footage was released showing monks gambling, drinking and smoking.

The Jogye order represents most of South Korea's 12 million or so Buddhists.

The head of the order called a news conference to make a personal apology for the latest scandal to hit his organisation.

It has been plagued by vicious internal feuds that at one time used to erupt in mass brawls at the main temple.

Footage shown on national television this week showed a group of eight senior monks and abbots engaged in an all-night, high stakes poker game.

Some were drinking and smoking during the session, which was secretly filmed at a resort hotel where monks had gathered for a memorial service.

Members of the Jogye order's head office have offered to resign en masse.


Luke Evans In Talks To Join Vin Disel and Dwayne Johnson In Fast And Furious 6...

The last Fast franchise movie exceeded financial and critical expectations, and Universal is reteaming with director Justin Lin for the next film in the franchise. Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson and other cast members are set to reprise their roles, and a new addition has now been revealed.

Luke Evans (Immortals, The Three Musketeers) has now entered into negotiations to join the large ensemble cast. According to Variety.com, "plot details are being kept under wraps, but sources say it would involve the crew heading overseas to work on a heist job. Evans would play the leader of another crew trying to pull off the same job." He can next be seen in Peter Jackson's highly anticipated film The Hobbit which hits theaters this December.

The Fast and the Furious franchise follows former police detective Brian Connor and street racer Dominic Toretto as they attempt to evade law enforcement while participating in high stakes races and heists around the country. Dwayne Johnson was the latest addition to the franchise in the role of federal agent Luke Hobbs. Fast and Furious 6 is currently slated for theatrical release on May 24, 2013.


UFC Announces ‘The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. U.K.’...

The Ultimate Fighting Championship's expansion of its biggest sub-brand will continue.

The promotion on Thursday night announced an international edition of "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series for this fall. UFC president Dana White tweeted news of the series, and an official release from the UFC followed.

"The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. U.K. – The Smashes" will film later this year, likely in late summer for a fall airing. The series will pit fighters from Australia against fighters from the United Kingdom. "The Smashes" in the title, according to the UFC, is "a play on the 130-year-old cricket rivalry" between Australia and the U.K.

The last international edition of TUF was Season 9 of the original U.S.-based series, which featured fighters from the United States against fighters from the United Kingdom. That season was coached by Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping, one of the most successful UFC fighters to come out of the TUF program – he won Season 3 of the show. The UFC also currently has "The Ultimate Fighter Brazil," which taped earlier this spring and is airing in that country, as well as on TUF.tv on Sunday nights.

Just like with the U.S. version of the reality show, as well as the one in Brazil, the winner or winners will receive a contract with the UFC. Past winners have included future UFC champions like Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans, as well as title contenders and stars like Bisping, Nate Diaz and Ryan Bader. Other alums of the groundbreaking show, which aired in the U.S. for seven years and 14 seasons on Spike TV, and now airs in a new live format Friday nights on FX, include Stephan Bonnar, Josh Koscheck, Kenny Florian, Diego Sanchez, Chris Leben, Joe Lauzon, Roy Nelson and Matt Mitrione.

"Australia and the U.K. have a fierce, long-standing rivalry, and where better to settle the score than in the UFC's Octagon?" said Marshall Zelaznik, the UFC's managing director of international development. "The popularity of MMA has exploded in Australia and the U.K., with gyms opening all over the respective countries. There is an athlete in one of those gyms who hasn’t had the chance to show the world what he can do. 'The Ultimate Fighter' is going give to him that opportunity. We’re going to discover the UFC's future stars – you can bet on it."

Coaches for the series have not yet been named, nor has an exact broadcast plan been announced.

Prospective fighters from bantamweight to welterweight – 61-77 kilograms – should visit special sites set up for registration forms, rules and criteria for qualification. Tryouts are planned for June 12 in Sydney, Australia, and June 15 in London. For fighters from Australia, visit au.ufc.com/TUFForm; for fighters in the U.K, visit uk.ufc.com/TUFForm.