Hey folks, Harry here. As usual the 'post-Oscar Hollywood Doldrums' have struck the big publications... This was evident in their inclusion of two stories about me.... otherwise known as scraping the bottom of the barrel. So here's the WEEKLY RECAP which I actually appear in.... Scarrrrry....
TAKEN FROM VARIETY AND HOLLYWOOD REPORTER VIA REUTERS
ELSTON NOTE: I'm just bulleting the recap this week as there was less movie news than usual (Tinseltown is still high from the Oscars, I guess), but I expect next week to be back to normal. This recap is not without it's charm, however...
* James Van Der Beek ("Dawson's Creek") and Dylan McDermott ("The Practice") will star in TEXAS RANGERS for Dimension Films about a group of young rangers charged with "cleaning up" the West. The project was supposed to be the last film directed by Sam Peckinpah.
* New Line will partner with Beacon Communications on the Kevin Costner pic 13 DAYS.
HARRY NOTE: I have it on very good authority that Francis Ford Copolla is very close to signing on as director of 13 DAYS... If he does... he may very well win an Oscar for this film. It's that good.
* Tom Sizemore joins Woody Harrelson, Antonio Banderas and Lolita Davidovich in the boxing flick WHATEVER HAPPENED TO HAROLD SMITH? Peter Hewitt (THE BORROWERS) directs the British comedy.
* New Line picked up the comedy pitch ADAM HENRY by Ben Queen and Seamus Rane about an aging Secret Service agent who must look after an eccentric fan of the president during his visit to the city.
* Morgan Freeman will produce/star in THE CONJURE MAN DIES, an adaptation of the 1932 Rudolph Fisher mystery novel. Kevin Hooks (PASSENGER 57) is attached to direct. The story is set during the 30s Harlem Renaissance and centers around an investigation into the murder of a psychic.
* Nicholas Hynter (THE CRUCIBLE) may direct a ballet drama currently titled CITY BALLET which follows three hopeful ballarinas and their fight to succeed in one of the world's greatest ballet companies.
* Richard Kwietniowski (LOVE AND DEATH ON LONG ISLAND) will direct the gambling thriller NO LIMIT based on the Gary Ross book.
* Adam Rifkin (DETROIT ROCK CITY) will direct the horror/comedy MUNCHIES about anorexic girls who find a craving for human flesh.
* Bijou Phillips (upcoming BLACK & WHITE), half-sister of Chynna Phillips, joins the cast of the untitled Cameron Crowe pic. Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Fairuza Balk and Anna Paquin are all names being mentioned for the ensemble.
* Howard Stern man soon star in THE ADVENTURES OF FARTMAN written by J.F. Lawton (PRETTY WOMAN, "VIP"). Stern would play a would be journalist whose colon is laced with a nuclear cocktail which turns his digestive system into "an odorfire Three Mile Island."
* Joan Allen will play Irish journalist Veronica Guerin in THROUGH THE SKY FALLS about an investigative reporter killed after writing about Irish mobsters. John Mackenzie (THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY) will direct the Michael Sheridan script.
* David Levien and Brian Koppelman (ROUDERS) will adapt Mark Helpin's A SOLDIER OF THE GREAT WAR for Edward Norton who'll coproduce and star for Miramax.
* Giovanni Ribisi will join Nicolas Cage in GONE IN 60 SECONDS for producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Dominic Sena.
* James Cameron is off the PLANET OF THE APES remake. Michael Bay is in discussions to come aboard the project for Fox.
* Tom Cruise will finish MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE in time to start MINORITY REPORT in July. Spielberg will then follow MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (both films to entirely film in L.A.).
* Eric Fleming will direct the comedy WIDE AWAKE about two high school geeks who try to meet girls by forming a rock band.
* Rob Zombie is in talks to write/direct THE LEGEND OF THE 13 GRAVES, a horror film for New Line and Madguy Films.
* Tim Robbins may join Gary Sinise and Don Cheadle in MISSION TO MARS.
HARRY NOTE: Mission To Mars is being directed by Brian DePalma, couldn't let that go without comment.
* Paramount Pictures is picking up MACE AND MARDI for Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson to produce and possibly star about a neurotic married couple who work as bounty hunters.
* Jim Carrey may star in ME, MYSELF AND IRENE which the Farrelly brothers will direct from a script they co-wrote with Mike Cerrone. Carrey would play a state trooper with a split personality. His competing personalities fall and fight for the same woman when he doesn't take his medicine.
Less activity this week, but still some interesting stuff. Cameron off APES, Stern still with FARTMAN. *** Giovanni Ribisi is becoming the busiest man in Hollywood. *** MUNCHIES. The concept cracks me up. *** Morgan Freeman is attached to CHIEF and now THE CONJURE MAN DIES...makes me wonder about the status of RENDEVOUS WITH RAMA. *** PLAY IT TO THE BONE and TEXAS RANGERS. Need more info. *** Jason Lee might be in a Cameron Crowe pic? Very cool.
Quite a week, folks. Early in the week I was sent an anonymous scoop about the flick CHERRY FALLS currently shooting in Virginia. The scoop said the film should receive a hard R due to content (unless its tames a bit in post production). It centers on some murders of some high school virgins. Sounds like a pick me up kind of flick.
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure to take in Kevin Smith's appearance at Virginia Tech this week. He told some gutbusting stories and interesting tidbits (looks be involved with a MAGE flick, but you didn't hear that from me) and showed a sweet rough cut of the trailer for DOGMA. I was not disappointed--neither was the audience based on their reaction. Some say the film may bring consequences not unlike PULP FICTION did five years ago--meaning it's fresh and powerful. This pic is easily one of the top five most anticipated films of the year. Kevin said the film will be submitted to the Cannes Film Festival within a week or two. Look out.
Finally, the Hollywood Reporter mentioned one Harry Knowles has agreed to play himself in the road-trip comedy FANBOYS written by Ernie Cline. The story follows a group of fans from Ohio who plan to break into George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch hoping to see a rough cut of PHANTOM MENACE. Anything you want to add Harry?
HARRY NOTE: First off, I can't believe the Hollywood Reporter is just now getting around to printing that casting tidbit... I mean.. gosh, I was talking about that back in November of 1998. The latest on FANBOYS is this... Since the initial postings about the film on the site, some investors have begun talks with Ernie and his producers. It looks like things will progress till the movie can be shot with real live Panavision cameras! No further details right now, but there will be more... as soon as I hear from Ernie Cline! Yes, I do play myself (hey... not like that... well... not on camera anyways)
'Til next week...
Elston Gunn (elstongunn@hotmail.com)
