Sherlock Holmes may end up starting a new mini-trend, if any of a number of projects in developments at major studios actual come to fruition.  Take a recognizable literary or historical figure about whom the public knows just enough to have a general idea of they are and what they do, then add a bunch of action and a charismatic lead actor to provide an edgy variation on said figure.  Market like crazy and voila, you might just have yourself some fried box office gold.  Universal is actively applying this formula to Leonardo, an action-adventure that would center around the classic Renaissance Man, Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci.

It's said that we're in the midst of a television renaissance, with smart original programming finding new expression on cable, where such shows are not forced to pander in order to score big network-style ratings.  The subjects of these excellent series are not limited to 1960's ad men, Prohibition Era bootleggers, and meth-cooking chemistry teachers; on Starz, science fiction gets quality treatment with Torchwood: Miracle Day, which sees the BBC Doctor Who spinoff crew coming to American shores.  We've got two sneak-peek clips teasing this Friday's new episode, entitled "End of Road" and both demonstrate that this isn't the sort of sci fi with cheesy backdrops and laughable tech-speak dialogue.

Last week Relativity Media made a relatively large expansion.

News came Friday that Relativity has acquired the distribution and marketing arms of Overture Films. With this deal, 45 members of Overture's staff will transition over, including Peter Adee, Overture Films’ President of Worldwide Marketing, Distribution and New Media, and Kyle Davies, Executive Vice President Theatrical Distribution.