'Horton' fun begins

'Dr. Seuss' film preems; 'Sleep' walks into Hollywood

By VARIETY STAFF

Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy arrive with her son, Evan Asher, to the premiere of 'Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!' in Westwood, CA.

Thesp Will Arnett hears the excitement outside the Mann Village Theater.

Jaime Pressly gives a shout-out at the premiere; below: Carol Burnett offers a family member a lift.

Chris Henchy and Brooke Shields walk down the orange carpet with their daughters.

Fox's Tom Rothman with helmers Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino at Saturday's premiere.

What: "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!" premiere

When: Saturday

Where: Mann Village Theater in Westwood, Calif.

Who: Pic's Jim Carrey, Carol Burnett, Steve Carell, Will Arnett, Jaime Pressly; Fox's Tom Rothman Jim Gianopulos, Tony Sella; producer Christopher Meledandri; helmers Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino and guests Jenny McCarthy, Brooke Shields, Audrey Stone Geisel and Cedric the Entertainer

HOLLYWOOD — Like a firstborn, a first acquired is always going to have a special position. And so it was “Sleepwalking,” Overture’s debut pickup, that had its launch Thursday at the DGA.

“We bought ‘Sleepwalking’ before we had an office,” said Overture co-chair Chris McGurk. “Now we have nine films, 70 people and not enough parking spots.”

Co-chair Danny Rosett said the company knew early on it would be making a big commitment to independent films and “this is the classic indie film you buy because of the strong performances.”

As for selling a film to a distributor, co-star Dennis Hopper said that in over 40 years of experience, he’s learned: “You can go to Cannes and they give you a little money down, but the theatrical release ends up being just a couple of theaters — then it goes right to DVD. With Overture, we got a better deal.”

— Bill Higgins