The Dark Knight Rises Scores in U.K. Despite Olympics; James Franco Joins Homefront: Biz Break

Also in Tuesday afternoon's round-up of news briefs Miramax sells music rights to its film music; A thief in Mexico wearing a mask is holding up theaters playing TDKR; Remembering Irish writer/journalist/playwright Maeve Binchy; And DreamWorks animation posts lower second quarter profits.

Warner/Chappell Buys Miramax's film music
The music publishing wing of Warner Music Group is acquiring the masters and publishing rights for all film music owned by Miramax. "The Miramax music library contains music from Academy Award winners The Cider House Rules, Chicago, Cold Mountain and Frida, as well as Gangs of New York, Finding Neverland, Good Will Hunting, Chocolat, Sin City, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and music from several hundred other Miramax films.  Terms are not being disclosed.

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James Franco Boards Homefront
Franco will join the cast of the Millennium Films action-thriller. Jason Statham is also starring in the film, which Gary Fleder will direct from a script written by Sylvester Stallone, Variety reports.

The Dark Knight Rises Holds Solid in U.K.
The Olympics opening ceremonies did not seem to result in a sluggish turn out for the latest Batman movie in host country, the U.K. The Christopher Nolan superhero pic took in £7.28 million ($11.412 million) across the pond over the weekend, for a 10-day cume of £30.55 million ($47.889 million), The Guardian reports.

Masked Mexican Thief Hits Theaters Showing TDKR
Officials in northern Mexico say a man wearing a ski mask and carrying a gun robbed two theaters showing the latest Batman installment Prosecutors in the Mexican state of Chihuahua said that a man went to ticket booths demanding the ticket money. No injuries were reported and the shows went on, AP reports.

R.I.P. Maeve Binchy
The Irish journalist and writer died yesterday at 72. Binchy's books sold over 40 million copies with translations in 42 languages. Her work Circle of Friends was adapted into a 1995 film. Her radio drama work included the award winning ''Infancy'' and ''Tia Maria'', which starred Oscar winner Kathy Bates, RTÉ reports.

DreamWorks Animation Posts Lower Q2 Earnings
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted was the second quarter's cash cow, but profits at the studio amounted to $12.8 million compared to $34.1 million in the time period one year ago. Revenue declined 25% to $162.8 million, THR reports.