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News Bites: Tuesday, April 20th 2004

By Garth Franklin Tuesday April 20th 2004 11:47PM

Good Boy 2: "The Jim Henson Co. has inked a two-year first-look deal with MGM to produce live-action films. Company already has a similar deal with the Walt Disney Co. to produce animated fare. Pact comes after Henson and the Lion co-produced last year's hit family laffer "Good Boy!" Jim Henson Pictures is developing a sequel to the $18 million-budgeted..." (more info). Loggerheads: "Tim Kirkman, director of the 1998 documentary "Dear Jesse," will make his feature-helming bow with "Loggerheads". Pic stars Elizabeth Perkins, Melinda Dillon, Stockard Channing and Kip Pardue. Production is skedded to begin next month. Inspired by a true story, "Loggerheads" interweaves three stories in three time periods in the three geographical regions of North Carolina..." (more info). Man on Fire: "In an unusual 11th-hour move, 20th Century Fox said Monday that it's debuting Denzel Washington starrer "Man on Fire" two days early in Gotham and L.A., unspooling in single venues in those markets Wednesday ahead of a wide bow Friday. Decision was made after execs screened a final cut of the pic and saw an opportunity to stimulate early buzz..." (more info). The Aryan Couple: "Martin Landau and Judy Parfitt are toplining WWII drama "The Aryan Couple", which follows a German Jewish industrialist forced to turn over his empire to the Nazis to pay for his family's passage out of the country. Lensing started Monday in Warsaw..." (more info). The Ring 2: ""Everwood" thesp Emily VanCamp is in final negotiations to play the young female lead in DreamWorks' horror sequel "The Ring 2". VanCamp joins Naomi Watts, David Dorfman and Simon Baker in the pic, being directed by Japanese helmer Hideo Nakata. Sissy Spacek will have a minor role in the film. Shooting begins next month..." (more info). Mission: Impossible III: "Carrie-Anne Moss -- no stranger to high-profile action sequels after her turns in the three "Matrix" movies -- has signed on to "Mission: Impossible 3" for Cruise Wagner Prods. and Paramount Pictures. Moss will take a leading role in the sequel, which will see Tom Cruise reprise his role as secret agent Ethan Hunt..." (more info). National Lampoon's The Trouble With Frank: "Estella Warren, Cary Elwes, Nora Dunn and David Faustino have been cast in "National Lampoon's The Trouble With Frank." Arthur Hiller is directing, with Jon Bon Jovi starring. The film centers on a ne'er-do-well (Bon Jovi) who decides to fund an all-girls hockey team with credit cards and finds himself in legal hot water..." (more info). Porky's: "Craig Moss and Steve Schoenburg have been hired to write the remake of 1982's "Porky's," which Howard Stern is executive producing along with Larry Levinson. Dan Gross and Steve Squillante are producing..." (more info). The Ballad of Bettie Page: "Jared Harris is reteaming with "I Shot Andy Warhol" director Mary Harron for Killer Films and HBO's "The Ballad of Bettie Page." Harris, who next appears in "Resident Evil 2," will play photographer John Willie, who photographed Page, a real-life pinup superstar, in the 1950s. Page (Gretchen Mol) was the subject of a Senate investigation into pornography because of the kinky overtones of her photographs..." (more info). The Perfect Man: "Chris Noth and Mike O'Malley are set to play opposite Hilary Duff in "The Perfect Man," which Mark Rosman is directing for Universal Pictures. The story centers on a teenager (Duff) who is trying to find the best mate for her single mom. Noth plays a friend of the family who, unbeknownst to the women, just might have all the qualities they are looking for. O'Malley is one of the potential suitors..." (more info). Vera Drake: "New Line Cinema has sealed a deal to pick up North American rights to "Vera Drake," the latest project from "Secrets & Lies" helmer Mike Leigh. The title is expected to be released through the studio's Fine Line Features unit. Starring Imelda Staunton, Jim Broadbent, Heather Craney and Philip Davis, the film follows the story of an Englishwoman in the 1950s who is completely devoted to and loved by her working-class family. However, she also leads a secret life as an abortionist, which threatens to unravel her life as well as her family's..." (more info). Whore: "Indie banner Screen Media Films has acquired "Whore" (Yo Puta), starring Daryl Hannah, Denise Richards and Joaquim de Almeida. The film, from Spain's Delores Pictures, will make its premiere in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival on May 7 and will be released in September..." (more info).DVD News: Details are up for Predator: CE, Bourne Identity: SE & Secret Window. Fat Albert: The first shots from the live-action adaptation are up at Movie City News. House of Flying Daggers: You can forget about "Hero" because Director Yimou Zhang wants, too. He just completed his latest film, "House of Flying Daggers". Here's the teaser poster. I, Robot: A new featurette featuring Director Alex Proyas is up at the official site. Kill Bill (DVD): Screen grabs from the uncut Japanese disc are up at Bloody Disgusting. Laws of Attraction: Director Peter Howitt talks about the Brosnan/Moore film to IC Liverpool. The Phantom of the Opera: Patrick Wilson talked more about the adaptation to Tampa Tribune. Thanks to 'CW', 'Stef', 'Brad', 'Tom', 'KarlChilders' & 'Julez'

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