Apes big deal and hell on the range

When you star in a movie that makes $453 million, you figure they'll ask you back for more, but what about when you're unrecognizable and have virtually "no" dialogue? Never fear, as Andy Serkis just closed a hefty seven-figure deal to reprise his role of Caeser in sequels to Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Serkis had only been signed for the one movie, giving his reps some leverage in negotiating his return for future chapters of the ape takeover. Director Rupert Wyatt already had a sequel option as did screenwriters Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. Apes was one of the bright spots of the summer and left you screaming for a sequel like few movies in recent memory.

Fox says they will wage a Supporting Oscar campaign for Serkis, testing voters' acceptance of actors working in performance-capture roles. Serkis has been a true pioneer, with plans to open his own performance-capture school for actors.

And a quick reminder, AMC rolls Hell on Wheels out of the station tomorrow night at 10. It may not be Deadwood, but as a Western fan, I have to check it out. Fingers crossed...