Here's a brief look at what cool was happening in the film industry last week taken from Variety and Hollywood Reporter via Reuters. I realize some of this has already been covered, but this puts it all in one place for our readers that may have missed some of it.
CASTING
(signed)
* Sandra Bullock will produce and co-star in the black comedy indie pic GUN SHY. Shooting begins in Oct.
* Mike Myers will star as "Gong Show" host Chuck Barris in an adaptation of the game show host's memoirs, "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind."
* Lena Olin (ROMEO IS BLEEDING) joins MYSTERY MEN with Janeane Garofalo in the cast among others. Shooting begins this fall (Sept.?) and will be directed by Kinka Usher.
* Will Patton (ARMAGEDDON) is set to join Sean Connery, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ving Rhames in ENTRAPMENT directed by John Amiel (COPYCAT).
* Gabrielle Union ("7th Heaven") is joining SHE'S ALL THAT.
* Michael Douglas and Meryl Streep are set to star in the family drama STILL LIFE to be directed by Mimi Leder (DEEP IMPACT).
* In other Meryl Streep news, the actress is replacing Madonna in 50 VIOLINS for director Wes Craven and Miramax.
* Tobey Maguire (upcoming RIDE WITH THE DEVIL) has signed to star in THE CIDER HOUE RULES for Miramax.
* Comedian Steven Wright has joined the cast of Albert Brooks' THE MUSE.
* Patricia Arquette is joining husband Nic Cage in Martin Scorsese's BRINGING OUT THE DEAD.
* John Savage (THE DEER HUNTER) will play a photographer in Spike Lee's SUMMER OF SAM.
DIRECTOR/WRITER ATTACHMENTS
(signed)
* Neil Jordan (THE CRYING GAME) is attached to write and direct an English-language version of the French film noir classic BOB LE FLAMBEUR for Warner Bros.
* Jon Krakauer has been hired by Tom Hanks to write the script for his project about late Hawaiian surfer Mark Foo.
(in talks)
* Jan De Bont (SPEED) is in talks to direct a remake of Robert Wise's THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE.
* Director Barry Sonnenfeld and Will Smith are in talks to collaborate again on the Muhammad Ali pic POWER AND GRACE.
MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTION TIDBITS
* THE BIG CHILL will be re-released by Columbia on Nov. 6 for its 15th anniversary.
* The "Command & Conquer" wargame series is being shopped around to studios for hopes of a big screen adaptation.
There you have it. It seems skimpy this week, folks, but computer trouble and lack of news will do that. However, MYSTERY MEN adds Lena Olin and Janeane Garofalo. I may be overhyped about this movie already. *** Steven Wright in an Albert Brooks flick? I'm glad to see he's (Wright) still around. Really glad--the man is so very funny. *** Mike Myers plate is definitely full, but every project he is up to seems worth it. *** Now THE BIG CHILL is being re-released? I may definitely create a section specifically for re-releases...and remakes too. Until next time.
Elston Gunn
