Porn distrib New Frontier can get takeover bid

Boulder, Colo.-based New Frontier Media, a higher porn distrib, mentioned it's received an unwanted takeover offer from investment firm Longkloof Limited, which has decided to acquire outstanding shares for $1.35 each. The board mentioned it's produced a committee to evaluate the purchase from Longkloof, that's situated within the Funnel Islands and has 15% of latest Frontier already. New Frontier, that's almost a penny stock investing trading, saw its shares spike nearly 16% to $1.31 on Friday. Inside an open letter to New Frontier, Longkloof mentioned the business has rejected to get familiar with constructive dialogue despite numerous attempts "within the last day or two to get familiar with significant discussions along with your regarding our fascination with acquiring" the organization. It chided the board that it referred to as a "dismal record" that saw the stock sink from greater than $9 five years ago. New Frontier's assets are the Erotic Network, a pay-per-view service with six channels and Penthouse TV, therefore it distributes. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Steve Martin to Make Music for the Public's Shakespeare

As unlikely as it seems, Shakespeare and Steve Martin will meet this summer through music. Though Steve Martin is best known for being a "wild and crazy guy" on "Saturday Night Live," a movie star, a writer, and an art lover, he is also a skilled musician. In fact, he is an adept banjo player and has recorded two bluegrass albums, a talent that has landed him a new gig.Martin will compose original music for the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park staging of "As You Like It." The upcoming production, which begins previews on June 5 at the Delacorte Theater and continue until June 30, will feature a live bluegrass band. Tony-winning director Daniel Sullivan will, according to a press release, "set the play's famous forest of Arden in the rural American South, circa 1840, where folk and roots music perfectly capture the mood of the time."The Shakespearean comedy will be followed by a revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's "Into the Woods" which begins performances July 23 and it will ends its run on Aug. 25.This summer marks the 50th summer of free Shakespeare in the Park. In honor of this accomplishment, The Public launched the 50th Anniversary Fellows Program to help support free Shakespeare in the Park in the future.For details on tickets, visit the official Shakespeare in the Park website.

Etan Cohen to helm 'Boy Scouts'

CohenParamount has attracted on its "Tropic Thunder" scribe Etan Cohen to produce his directorial debut round the horror-comedy "Boy Scouts versus. Zombies."Studio did not have comment.Disney Writing Program alums Barbara Evans and Emi Mochizuki written the script, which came out round the 2010 Black List.Story follows three secondary school Boy Scouts who must use their capabilities to be able to save their small town in the vicious zombie outbreak.Todd Garner's Broken Road is creating with Andy Fickman and Betsy Sullenger of Oops Raspberry braid, additionally to Bryan Brucks' Brucks Entertainment. The scribes' manager, Sean Robins, will professional produce.Cohen, who written "Tropic Thunder" and "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," is most likely the authors credited on Sony's approaching tentpole "Males in Black 3." His script "Revenge in the Jocks" may also be in development at Warner Bros.Cohen is repped by CAA, Variety and attorney Peter Nichols. Contact Rob Sneider at rob.sneider@variety.com