From Collider:
Making another addition to its collection of high-quality, talent-driven specialty films, (David Mamet’s Edmond, Robert Siegel’s – of The Wrestler fame- Big Fan), First Independent Pictures has acquired U.S. rights to Sundance 2010 Dramatic Competition entry Holy Rollers. First Independent anticipates an early to mid summer release.

Burgeoning star Jesse Eisenberg – after his recent turn in the hit Zombieland and his earlier stunning work in such specialty fare as The Squid and the Whale – stars as Sam Gold, a devoted yet wayward Hasidic Jew in late 90’s NYC, who becomes involved in an international ecstasy ring. The film is based loosely on true events. Eisenberg will be next seen starring in The Social Network directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin.

The picture also stars Justin Bartha, of the mega-hit The Hangover, as well as rapper Q-Tip, Ari Graynor and Danny A. Abeckaser, who also produces.

The film is directed by talented first timer Kevin Asch, written by Antonio Macia, and in addition to Abeckaser, Jen Gatien, Per Melita, and Tory Tunnell.

First Independent Pictures President Gary Rubin said, “We believe in this film. It’s that simple.”

Director Kevin Asch: “As a filmmaker, you hope to work with a distributor that is as passionate about the movie as you are, and we found that in Gary Rubin and First Independent Pictures.”

Producer Danny A. Abeckaser: “After five years of nurturing this deeply personal story, it’s especially gratifying to know that the film will be shared with audiences around the US under the watchful eye of Gary Rubin and First Independent. We share the same vision and belief in this beautiful and unique independent film.”

The deal was negotiated on the producer’s behalf by Victoria Cook of Cinetic Media, with Rubin and attorney Shelley Surpin handling negotiations for First Independent.

Ari attended the Los Angeles premiere of Youth In Revolt on January 6th. Photos are up in the gallery and previews are below.

Sundance announced the film line-up for next month’s festival and Holy Rollers will be making it’s debut at the festival!

This site will be moving to http://ari-graynor.net as the current .org is expiring.

From Broadway World:
Michael Urie (“Ugly Betty”, “The Tempermentals”) is headlining a reading of Brian Sloan’s “WTC View” on November 22nd at the historic Player’s Theatre in Greenwich Village. The play was originally staged as part of the 2003 NY Intl. Fringe Festival , with Urie originating the lead role. It was adapted into a 2006 film, directed by Sloan, a New York-based writer/filmmaker (“Boys Life”, “I Think I Do”). Now, the play is back on stage with its eye on a 2011 production in New York City for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The cast for the reading features Ari Graynor (“Fringe”, “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”), Ralph Macchio (“Ugly Betty”), Jason Tam (“A Chorus Line”, “One Life To Live”), Lucas Papaealis (“Essential Self-Defense”), Dane DeHaan (“End Days”,”American Buffalo”), and Clancy O’Connor (“John Adams”). Casting for the reading is by Calleri Casting, Paul Davis. Andrew Volkoff is directing, after recently staging “The Fantasticks” for Barrington Stage Company. Volkoff directed the original NYC Fringe production as well.

“WTC View” follows a SoHo resident, played by Urie, who spends the weeks after 9/11 meeting new roommates for his downtown apartment after placing a VOICE ad on September 10, 2001. “At turns stirring, mournful and, believe it or not, laugh-out-loud funny, ‘WTC View’ is a major new play that deserves to be experienced by as wide an audience as possible,” wrote Erik Piepenberg in his 2003 review for Gay City News. The play was voted one of the “10 Best Plays of 2003″ by GCN and was also published in “Plays & Playwrights 2004″, a collection of the best new off-Broadway plays.

The reading of “WTC View” is on Sunday November 22nd, starting at 2pm. The Players Theatre is located at 115 MacDougal Street, south of W. 3rd Street. Reservations can be made via email: contact@wtcview.com.

From Variety:

Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor, Ann-Margret and Jeffrey Tambor are toplining indie comedy “Lucky,” with shooting to start next week in Iowa.

Gil Cates Jr. will direct, and the film will be produced by Cates and Ten/Four co-founder Caitlin Murney. It’s co-financed and exec produced with Anthony Gudas and Matthew Chausse’s Rhode Island-based Tax Credit Finance.

“Lucky,” penned by “Saturday Night Live” scribe Kent Sublette, centers on a fledgling serial killer who wins the lottery and attempts to pursue his lifelong crush.

Feature is the second from Ten/Four Pictures following thriller “Order of Chaos,” starring Milo Ventimiglia and Rhys Coiro. The shingle’s aimed at developing, co-producing and financing features in the $8 million-$15 million range.

The trailer for “Youth In Revolt” has been released. The film will be hitting theatres on October 30.

Whip It will be making it’s world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, which runs from September 10-19.

Whip It Drew Barrymore, USA
World Premiere
Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut stars Ellen Page (Juno) as Bliss, a rebellious Texas teen who throws in her small-town beauty pageant crown for the rowdy world of roller-derby. Marcia Gay Harden (Mystic River, Pollock) plays Bliss’s disapproving mother, while Drew Barrymore, Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live) and Juliette Lewis (Old School) play roller-derby stars.

I’ve just added a few stills from The Happy Sad to the gallery. You can check out previews below. Also, Michael Ausiello had this to say in response to a question about Ari and Fringe:

Question: I’m sad Kirk Acevedo is leaving Fringe, but what I really want to know is if Ari Graynor is coming back for season 2. She and the niece added something special to the show, and showed us a different side of Olivia. –Tim
Ausiello: Yes, Graynor’s Rachel returns in the season premiere. Her involvement beyond that is TBD.