Focus Features Intl. has picked up the rights to Matthew Vaughn's KICK-ASS, reports VARIETY.

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group has signed a three-year marketing and distribution deal with CBS Films, under which Sony Pictures will handle international theatrical distribution of CBS Films productions as well as service worldwide distribution of the unit's films in the home entertainment marketplace, it was announced today by Peter Schlessel, president, Worldwide Affairs for Sony Pictures, and Jeff Blake, chairman, Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing & Distribution. CBS Films will handle domestic theatrical distribution of all titles and retains rights in a limited number of foreign territories.

While its competitors flounder and cut staff, Activision is still expanding, VARIETY reports.

Following a tumultuous merger than many will always consider one of the worst ever to occur, Time Warner and AOL will finally be going their separate ways, DEADLINE.COM reports.

Disney's CAPTAIN NEMO: 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA never really made it ashore and the studio has now halted production indefinitely, VARIETY reports.

Kent Alterman, a former studio executive-turned-director, is in final talks to replace Lauren Corrao as president of original programming and development at Comedy Central, VARIETY reports.

As EA continues to take a hatchet to its staff counts and cuts costs at every turn, the company has set its sights on California-based developer Pandemic, USA TODAY reports.

Screaming to an huge lead for its opening weekend, Nov. 13-15, Sony's 2012 earned $65 million and the #1 slot. A CHRISTMAS CAROL raked in $22.3 million for Buena Vista and the #2 spot.

COMINGSOON.NET has a statement from MGM that confirms the studio may indeed be auctioned off in a matter of weeks.

Marvel Studios has promoted Louis D’Esposito to Co-President of Marvel Studios, the Hollywood subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL).

Emma Watts has signed a three-year deal to serve as the president of production at 20th Century Fox, reports VARIETY.

Two weeks after SAG rejected a similar offer, AFTRA members have ratified a new deal with video game producers, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.

Sony Corp. has formed Sony ColorWorks to handle digital intermediate work, reports VARIETY.

VARIETY reports that MGM will be auctioned off in the upcoming weeks.

Sony's decision to release CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS in digital form on Dec. 8 has irked theater owners, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.

C21MEDIA.NET is reporting that Bebo is cutting almost all of its staff in the United Kingdom, including head of original production Kelly Sweeney.

SCREENDAILY.COM reports that Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group president Mark Zoradi has left his position.

Boutique visual effects studio Ingenuity Engine has collaborated once again with director Joseph Kahn on a futuristic new music video for R&B singer Chris Brown's track "I Can Transform Ya," the first single off his forthcoming album Graffiti (due Dec. 8).

LAIKA, Inc., the Portland-based animation studio whose first feature film, Coraline, has been a critical and box office success, has appointed Gary Raksis to the post of Chief Financial Officer of the company.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL raked in $30 million for Buena Vista and the #1 slot in its opening weekend, Nov. 6-8. MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT came in at #2 for Sony in its second weekend, earning $13.2 million. Overture's THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS came in #3 for its first week, earning $12.7 million.