The upcoming film "CONCUSSION" will be the Centerpiece Gala at this year's American Film Institute Festival. The film, directed by PETER LANDESMAN and starring WILL SMITH, "will screen on Nov. 10 at the TCL Chinese Theater" in L.A., "months before its Christmas release." Sony is "clearly aiming to stay on offense and get out in front of any lingering questions" surrounding the film (L.A. TIMES, 10/1).
FIND YOURSELF A CITY TO LIVE IN: Cavaliers Owner DAN GILBERT and Under Armour Founder, Chair & CEO KEVIN PLANK last night "traded thoughts on how a single company can impact a city" at the Detroit Opera House. Gilbert, who also owns Quicken Loans and has developed much of downtown Detroit, said, "If you’re looking at a spreadsheet, you wouldn’t normally say, ‘A city is part of this story.’ But a city does become, in a way, the soul of a company.” The dialogue between the two came "before an audience during Homecoming Detroit, a three-day conference to convince professionals with Detroit ties that they should invest or reinvest in the city." The chat was "mainly an interview of Plank" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 10/1).
BIG SCREEN, LITTLE SCREEN: MMA fighter URIJAH FABER is getting into the “production side of the entertainment business” with a film in which he “is an actor but not an investor.” The comedy, “BEACH PIZZA,” is being produced by 3 Arts Entertainment, and Faber co-stars with CRAIG ROBINSON. What has Faber “more excited is ‘POINT ARENA,’ a film he developed from the ground up, devising the plot, hiring a screenwriter and producing a five-minute ‘sizzle reel’ that serves as a trailer and recruiting vehicle for actors and financial backers” (SACRAMENTO BEE, 10/1)....Former beach volleyball player GABRIELLE REECE “has been tapped” to host NBC’s new fitness competition series “STRONG.” The reality show, which comes from “THE BIGGEST LOSER” creator DAVE BROOME, SYLVESTER STALLONE and HOLLY WOFFORD, will follow contestants as they "work together to compete in a series of grueling challenges that will test their strength, endurance and mental stamina -- with one pair getting eliminated each week” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 9/30)....NASCAR driver CARL EDWARDS has "booked a cameo" on Fox' upcoming comedy, "THE GRINDER," which stars ROB LOWE and FRED SAVAGE. Edwards will "play a police deputy who pulls the pair over in the episode, which will air in November" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 9/29)....Rockies CF CHARLIE BLACKMON has "signed on to guest star on an episode of 'MOST WANTED LIST' with host KRISTY LEE COOK on the Sportsman Channel" (DENVERPOST.com, 9/30).
NAMES: The Univ. of North Carolina will induct late ESPN broadcaster and alum STUART SCOTT on Oct. 23 into the North Carolina Journalism HOF. Afterward, the men’s basketball program “will hold a tribute to Scott during its annual ‘Late Night With Roy’ event, which marks the ceremonial start to the season.” Scott “first hosted the event” in ’01 and did so 10 times (AP, 9/30)....Baseball HOFer RANDY JOHNSON will lead the annual Fiesta Bowl Parade next year and “will be a special guest” at the Jan. 1 game and at the Cactus Bowl on Jan. 2 (AZCENTRAL.com, 9/29)....Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT, WOODY ALLEN, former U.S. Secretary of State HENRY KISSINGER, screenwriter JAMES TOBACK and film director BENNETT MILLER all attended former N.Y. City Council President ANDREW STEIN's dinner for actress and author SHIRLEY MACLAINE at Caravaggio in N.Y. (NYPOST.com, 9/30).
