Paramount Pictures Carter Beats the Devil

Paramount Pictures has optioned the feature film rights to Glen David Gold's novel "Carter Beats the Devil," for Cruise/Wagner and Robert Towne.

Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner's Paramount-based C/W Prods. will produce the picture. Towne is expected to be involved in the project, but it is unclear at this stage whether he will pen an adaptation of the book or direct.

"Carter," Gold's first novel, is An amazing, richly evocative novel of magic and history in the tradition of E. L. Doctorow and Caleb Carr. America in the 1920s was a nation obsessed with magic. Not just the kind performed in theaters and on stages across the country, but the magic of technology, science, and prosperity. Enter Charles Carter -- a.k.a. Carter the Great -- a young master performer whose skill as an illusionist exceeds even that of the great Houdini. Fueled by a passion for magic that grew out of desperation and loneliness, Carter has become a legend in his own time.

His thrilling act involves outrageous stunts carried out on elaborate sets before the most demanding audiences. But the most outrageous stunt of all stars none other than President Warren Harding and ends up nearly costing Carter the reputation he worked so hard to create. Filled with historical references that evoke the excesses and enthusiasm of postwar, pre-Depression America, Carter Beats the Devil is the complex and illuminating story of one man's journey through a magical -- and sometimes dangerous -- world, where illusion is everything, and everything is illusory.

The novel starts with the mysterious death of President Warren G. Harding and the invention of TV by Phil T. Farnsworth, but it essentially follows the intrigue, love life and magic of real-life magician Carter the Great, from his first magic show in the blizzard of 1897 when he was 9 years old (performed to a household servant) through to Carter's greatest performance in 1923. Hyperion purchased the book at auction in 2000 for close to $700,000.

Glen David Gold received his MFA for creative writing at the University of California at Irvine and has written for newspapers, film, and television. He currently lives in Southern California.

'Peter Westbrook' bio makes cut at Disney

Disney has bought the rights to the "Untitled Peter Westbrook Story" from "The Princess Diaries" producer Debra Martin Chase and writers Keith Mitchell and Allie Dvorian, who will pen the script. The project centers on Peter Westbrook, who found an unlikely escape from the New Jersey housing projects of his childhood in the world of fencing. Westbrook went on to dominate the sport internationally, competing in six Olympic Games.

The film based on his life will mainly focus on what Westbrook has done with his fencing success, specifically the creation of the Peter Westbrook Foundation, a fencing school in Harlem that has trained thousands of inner-city children, including three who represented the United States at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

"In the spirit of 'Remember the Titans,' the 'Peter Westbrook Story' is a terrific tale of overcoming racial and socioeconomic obstacles to fulfill impossible dreams," said Chase, who will produce through her Martin Chase Prods.

The project was brought to Chase by Mitchell and Dvorian, who will receive co-producer credits. For Westbrook, the film will be another way to give back to fencing.

"This is absolutely spectacular," Westbrook said. "When my mother got me involved in fencing as a kid, it allowed me to see a whole different kind of people, a whole different world. Now I just want to do the same thing for kids who are in a similar situation as I was growing up."

"Westbrook" will be overseen at the studio by production execs Doug Short and Brigham Taylor. In addition to "Westbrook," Mitchell is working on "Off Track" for Gaylord Films/Warner Bros. and "Scorned" for Walt Disney Pictures. Dvorian is writing "The Learning Curves" for Tapestry Films.

Mitchell is represented by Susan Sussman of Diverse Talent Group, while Dvorian is repped by Mark Ross of Paradigm. Both are managed by Noah Rosen of D-No Entertainment

'Rapid' The Action Spec From Neophyte Scribe John Sullivan

Moving quickly, Sony's Columbia Pictures has preemptively acquired "Rapid." The action spec from neophyte scribe John Sullivan has been picked up in a deal potentially worth $575,000 if the project is produced.

Sullivan, until now a total unknown based in New York City, had read an online interview with Energy Entertainment principal Brooklyn Weaver on Jerrol LeBaron's scribe resource

Sullivan later emailed him via Weaver's Web site, and Weaver was startled at what he read: The writing sample had "a real voice," according to Weaver -- so much so he signed Sullivan the next day.

"I'm in the needle-in-a-haystack business," Weaver said, "and I'm the first to admit it. But this was surreal."

Over the next three weeks, working with Neal Moritz's Columbia-based Original Film, an idea for a picture was hammered out.

Meant to be shot in a harrowing "real time" a la "The Panic Room," the spec follows the closure for relocation of a major bank and the transfer of $22 million in cash and notes via armored car that runs into thieves who attempt the heist in the middle of a hurricane.

"I couldn't believe it when Brooklyn and Brad called and told me Neal Moritz was personally delivering my script to Sony," said Sullivan, who will co-produce the picture.

Martin Sheen, Amy Adams playing Catch Me If You Can

Martin Sheen and Amy Adams have joined Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks and Christopher Walken in the Steven Spielberg-helmed cat-and-mouse story "Catch Me If You Can" for DreamWorks Pictures. Shooting started Monday in Los Angeles.

The project centers on Frank Abagnale Jr. (DiCaprio), who worked as a doctor, lawyer and co-pilot for a major airline -- all before his 18th birthday. A master of deception, he also was a brilliant forger, leading him to become the most successful bank robber in the history of the United States and the youngest person to land on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list.

Sheen will play the father of DiCaprio's main love interest in the film, played by Adams ("Pumpkin"). Hanks stars as an FBI agent on the hunt for Abagnale, and Walken plays Frank Abagnale Sr.

Spielberg is directing from a script by Jeff Nathanson based on the autobiographical book of the same name by Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan Redding.

Spielberg and DreamWorks head Walter F. Parkes are producing, with Barry Kemp, Laurie MacDonald, Michel Shane and Tony Romano executive producing. Daniel Lupi is co-producing.

Behind the scenes, Spielberg is using a list of longtime collaborators, including cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, editor Michael Kahn and composer John Williams. Working with Spielberg for the first time are production designer Jeannine Oppewall and costume designer Mary Zophres.

Sheen is repped by the Liberty Co. Adams is repped by Endeavor, the Firm and the law firm Hansen, Jacobson, Teller and Hoberman.

Eight Women (Huit Femmes) Heats The Business Of Berlins Sluggish Market.

Prices for the German rights were said to have risen to as much as $1m on Eight Women, which was boosted by a spectacular box-office opening in France and the presence of stars such as Catherine Denueve at the festival. Sales agent Celluloid Dreams is understood to be fielding offers from distributors including Prokino, Constantin, Tobis, Senator and Concorde.

In the UK, the film’s original price tag of around $100,000 could now triple. One source even said the top offer was "just shy of half million". Buyers in the ring are understood to include Pathe, Momentum and UGC, which is planning to set up a UK distribution presence. FilmFour, previously out of the bidding race. is also back in, presumably turned on by the film’s strong weekend performance. "Exactly what I wanted to happen has happened," said Celluloid chief Hengameh Panahi. "I love it!"

Other sellers were not so enamored of a market, which one buyer – speaking from the airport’s departure lounge – said was "incredibly slow".

Sony Pictures Classics was widely rumored to be circling Italian competition title Burning In The Wind, but was said to have got cold feet at press time. Sales agent Adriana Chiesa was traveling and unavailable for comment. Co-producer RAI Cinema confirmed "strong interest" from the US in the film. Denmark’s Minor Mishaps was also expected to sell to the US – with Sony again being tipped as one candidate – but in a surprise move Trust Film Sales said that it was now holding back the film until the AFM market in Los Angeles later this month. "There are still some US buyers who have not had a chance to see the film," said Annakarin Strom, head of Trust. Frenetic quickly grabbed the film for Switzerland.

But while US deals may have been thin on the ground, international rights were also selling swiftly on Portman Films’ Bloody Sunday. Also picking up heat was Spirited Away, with Pathe thought to be talking to sales agent Wild Bunch for the UK.

Secretary For Lions Gate Films

Lions Gate Films has acquired North American rights to Sundance Film Festival favorite Secretary, about the S&M relationship between a lawyer and his secretary. The film was in dramatic competition at Sundance and won a special jury prize for originality. Directed by Steven Shainberg, the film stars James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhall.

Peter Block, president of home entertainment and acquisitions, and Jason Constantine, director of acquisitions, negotiated for the film on behalf of Lions Gate with Michael Roban and John Schmidt of ContentFilm representing the film’s producers. Roban is also an executive producer on the film. London-based Alibi Films International has international rights.

Lions Gate is planning a late summer release for the film which is a double A films production, produced by Shainberg, Andrew Fierberg and Amy Hobby. It is Lions Gate’s third Sundance acquisition after May and Intacto.

The Rerun Of The SAG Election Is Already In Trouble

The rerun of the Screen Actors Guild's (SAG) election is already in trouble, thanks to another goof by the union's staff. The flub came when guild staff cleared a campaign email, authored by 1st VP Mike Farrell, to be sent to thousands of guild members on Sunday even though election rules allow only for candidates to send emails.

SAG had no comment, but the apparent misinterpretation of the email rules could open the rerun to challenges. Ballots were sent Monday and are due back by March 8, with results to be announced that evening.

The rerun, which covers 10 candidates for president, secretary and treasurer, was ordered by SAG's elections committee as a result of violations last fall by guild staff and polling administrator Sequoia Voting Systems.

Farrell, co-star of NBC drama "Providence," wrote the missive in support of actress Melissa Gilbert, who won the presidency race last November and is now running again.

The emails -- sent out at a cost of 8 cents per name -- contained the disclaimer that SAG is obligated to provide candidates with the opportunity to send such messages: "The following has been prepared by the candidate(s) and is not endorsed or reviewed by the guild in any manner."

Farrell, who won his post in November, blasted the committee's rerun decision as "pathetic," called the violations "technical flaws," and attacked Gilbert rival Valerie Harper and her running mates for challenging the election.

Record Number of Films to Screen at AFM 2002; 419 Titles Include 244 Market Premieres

A record 419 films from around the globe will screen at this year's American Film Market, Feb. 20-27 in Santa Monica, Calif., including 244 market premieres, it was announced today by Jonathan Wolf, managing director of the AFM and executive vice president of AFMA. Among the screenings will be 26 films hot off the reels from the just completed Sundance Film Festival, including ``Secretary,'' winner of the Special Jury Prize for Originality (Dramatic) and ``Bloody Sunday,'' winner of the World Cinema Audience Award. (Full list below.)

The 419 films scheduled to screen at this year's market are up 5 percent from last year's total of 398 films. Similarly, the scheduled market premieres are up from 238 in 2001 to 244 this year.

``The record number of films at this year's AFM is clear evidence that the independent motion picture and television industry is poised for a very healthy year,'' said Wolf. ``We are thrilled the industry remains so robust.''

Noted films screenings at this year's market include: New Line Cinema's ``Blade II,'' starring Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson and Ron Perlman; New Cannon's ``Crime and Punishment,'' starring Crispin Glover, Vanessa Redgrave, John Hurt and Margot Kidder; Alliance Atlantis' ``Dirty Deeds,'' starring Bryan Brown, Sam Neill, Toni Collette and John Goodman; Nu Image's ``Hard Cash,'' starring Val Kilmer, Christian Slater and Daryl Hannah; Moonstone Entertainment's ``Hotel,'' starring Selma Hayek, David Schwimmer, Julien Sands and Lucy Liu, and New Line Cinema's ``Simone,'' starring Al Pacino, Catherine Keener, Jay Mohr and Robert Musgrave.

For more information about the AFM, including a complete listing of films screening during the event, visit online www.americanfilmmarket.com .

Sundance Films At AFM 2002, Among the films from Sundance Film Festival 2002 that will screen at this year's AFM are:

"Bark!" (Overseas Filmgroup)
"Bloody Sunday" (Portman Film)
"Crush" (FilmFour Ltd.)
"Dancer Upstairs" (LolaFilms)
"Dog Days" (The Coproduction Office)
"Gerry" (FilmFour Ltd.)
"Good Girl" (Myriad Pictures)
"Intact" (Sogepaq, S.A.)
"The Jimmy Show" (Overseas Filmgroup)
"The Laramie Project" (HBO Enterprises)
"Laundry" (Pony Canyon)
"Lucky Break" (FilmFour Ltd.)
"The Man From Elysian Fields" (Vortex Pictures)
"Miranda" (FilmFour Ltd.)
"Narc" (Cutting Edge Entertainment)
"Rain" (New Zealand Film Commission)
"Secretary" (Alibi Films International)
"Sex and Lucia" (Sogepaq, S.A.)
"Skins" (Overseas Filmgroup)
"Thirteen Conversations About One Thing" (Overseas Filmgroup)
"Where Eskimos Live" (Vine International)
"World Traveler" (Alliance Atlantis)
The 22nd annual AFM will take place February 20 - 27. Founded in 1981, the American Film Market has grown steadily over the last two decades to become the largest motion picture market, generating more than $500 million in film production and distribution deals. During the eight-day event, more than 7,000 people attend from over 70 countries, including film and television distribution, producers, directors, film commissioners and representatives.

All of Santa Monica's 23 screens become AFM screening rooms during the event. More than 600 screenings of more than 400 films are held, 23 different films every two hours, the majority of them world or U.S. premieres. The AFM 2002 sponsors include British Film Commission, Coudert Brothers Global Legal Advisors, Crest National, Dolby, KPMG, Mercedes Benz, North Carolina Film Commission, Picture PipeLine, RightsLine, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

Aaliyah's Performance In 'Queen Of The Damned' Praised

Late singer-actress Aaliyah's performance in the upcoming film Queen Of The Damned is being praised by author Anne Rice, who wrote the novel upon which the movie was based. Rice recently saw the completed film and provided glowing reviews of it on her home answering machine, according to the New York Post (February 11). Rice was quoted as saying, "Fans of Aaliyah, who died so tragically in a plane crash, will probably be more than delighted with her remarkable performance."

Others who have seen Aaliyah's portrayal of a 6,000-year-old vampire in Queen Of The Damned include Christopher John Farley, the Time magazine writer who penned the new book Aaliyah: More Than A Woman. Farley told LAUNCH, "The first scene she shot for the movie was a scene in which she shows up into a bar and kills a bunch of people and including, like, ripping someone's heart out, and Aaliyah is laughing about it. Not the Aaliyah people knew in life, but this was an Aaliyah for this movie: She was willing to show that angrier, evil side of herself on screen. She was willing to sort of delve into those areas and that sort of takes bravery for an actor." Queen Of The Damned is due in theaters on February 22.