Andrew Lauren Prods To Produce $10 million-budgeted picture 'After'

Andrew Lauren Prods., run by the son of clothing manufacturer Ralph Lauren, has optioned Melvin Jules Bukiet's novel "After," with Srdjan Dragojevic ("Pretty Village, Pretty Flames") attached to direct from his own adaptation.

The $10 million-budgeted picture is a post-Holocaust heist film. In 1945 the Allied forces are trekking across Europe, pausing incidentally to free the Jews from Hitler's camps. Newly emerged from the ashes, three ex-prisoners--a logician, a saint and a schemer--come together. Led by 19-year-old Isaac Kaufman, this trio joins forces in survival to exploit the only industry up and running in a crippled German town, the black market--until they discover and decide to steal a 64-cubic-foot block of gold: "18 tons of golden ingots created from the fillings pried from the teeth of the murdered Jews of Eastern Europe.".

Andrew Lauren Prods' first film, the hip-hop romantic drama "G," starring Blair Underwood and Richard T. Jones, will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival next week.

Dragojevic's "Pretty Village" was distributed by Miramax in 1996. He also helmed "The Wounds." Bukiet last penned the novel "Strange Fire" and edited "Nothing Makes You Free: Writings by Descendants of Jewish Holocaust Survivors."

Mike Hodges To Direct 'I'll Sleep When I'm Dead'

Director Mike Hodges will reteam with his "Croupier" star Clive Owen on the noir thriller "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," with Paramount Classics acquiring domestic distribution and certain international territories. Written by Trevor Preston, "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" tells of a former gang boss who is drawn back into the game to avenge his brother's sordid and tragic death. Charlotte Rampling, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Malcolm McDowell also star.

The picture begins production in September and is slated for a late 2003 release. In addition to North America, Paramount Classics acquired the picture for Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Latin America and the Middle East.

Hodges also directed the original "Get Carter," starring Michael Caine. Owen is starring opposite Angelina Jolie in "Beyond Borders" and was most recently seen in Robert Altman's award-winning ensembler "Gosford Park."

Mid-Six Figures To Option 'Truth Or Die'

Firm Films, the feature division of entertainment and brand management company the Firm, has paid mid-six figures to option the feature rights to the novel "Truth or Die," penned by Guy Toubes and David Ackerman.

The untitled pic will be adapted by Craig Borten and Melissa Wallack, the writing team behind Universal Pictures "Dallas Buyer's Club," which Marc Forster is helming.

Described as a cross between thriller "3 Days of the Condor" and drama "Erin Brockovich," 1960s-set pic concerns a newly graduated medical researcher who gets a call from the government offering him a high profile job in the field. Initially, he is led to believe his research will be used to find cures for terminal diseases, but he later discovers that his research is being used to develop biological warfare.

Borten and Wallack are also working on a pitch about an ex-con who becomes a coach to a reform school football team and ends up trying to prevent the players from following the path he took.

Billy Bob Thornton Thriller The Badge About Murder, Sex And Secrets

STARZ! Pictures will present the world premiere of the crime drama The Badge exclusively on STARZ! September 7, 2002 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The film stars an impressive cast highlighted by Academy Award® winner Billy Bob Thornton, Patricia Arquette, William Devane and two-time Emmy® winner Sela Ward.

The cast also features Julie Hagerty (A Guy Thing, Airplane!), Hill Harper ("The Court," Loving Jezebel) and Thomas Hayden Church (3000 Miles to Graceland, "Wings"). The provocative film was written and directed by filmmaker Robby Henson (Pharaoh's Army) and was shot entirely on location in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Billy Bob Thornton stars as the narrow-minded and traumatized Darl, a sheriff in a small Louisiana town that is rocked by the mysterious murder of a woman in the swamps. His reluctant investigation and unlikely encounter with Scarlett (Arquette), a beautiful New Orleans stripper who arrives in town asking questions about the killing, act as the catalysts that ultimately transforms him for the better. At first, Darl is ill prepared to deal with the world Scarlett exposes him to; a world he previously held in contempt. But together, they eventually overcome their prejudices as they struggle against corrupt cops and politicians, uncover a chilling conspiracy and find the murderer. In the end, Darl achieves reconciliation with his estranged family and faces his bigotry and self-imposed demons.

Multitalented Billy Bob Thornton has come a long way since his early days as a musician; playing drums and singing in a band called Tres Hombres. Since then he has received two Academy Award® nominations - Best Actor in a Leading Role for Sling Blade and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for A Simple Plan - and won the 1997 Academy Award® for Best Writing, Screenplay for Sling Blade and most recently starred in Bandits and Monster's Ball. Thornton just wrapped the film Levity and is set to play the title role in the comedy Bad Santa that begins production mid summer. Patricia Arquette began her career at age 18 in 1986's Pretty Smart and gained attention for her starring role in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Soon after, her career took off, and she has since appeared in such critically acclaimed films as True Romance, Beyond Rangoon, Ethan Frome and Stigmata. Arquette can be seen in the recently released Human Nature. Television audiences will recognize two-time Emmy® winner Sela Ward from her acclaimed TV series work on "Sisters" and "Once and Again," and from her compelling performance as Jessica Savitch in the film Almost Golden: The Jessica Savitch Story. Showcasing unusual versatility, two-time Emmy® nominee William Devane has amassed an acclaimed resume of performances in both film and television such as President John F. Kennedy in The Missiles of October and Gregory Sumner in "Knots Landing".

Executive producers are Rick Hess (Bark), Trevor Macy (Auto Focus), Avi Lerner (How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog), Danny Dimbort (How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog), Randall Emmett (All for Nothin'), George Furla (All for Nothin'), Jeff Rice (After Sex), Joey Nittolo (Run for the Money), Norm Waitt (The Man from Elysian Fields), Paul Brooks (The Man from Elysian Fields) and Michael Paseornek (Monster's Ball). John Morrissey (American History X) produced and Bruce Heller (All the Pretty Horses), Alicia Allain (Auto Focus) and Larry Katz (The Man from Elysian Fields) co-produced the film.

Industry: Universal buys Good Machine and merges it with USA Films

In conjunction with the integration of the USA Entertainment Group and the Universal Studios Group, Universal Studios has entered into an agreement to acquire Good Machine as part of the ongoing reorganization of Universal's specialty film unit, it was announced today by Stacey Snider, chairman, Universal Pictures.

The new unit will be called Focus and will operate under the leadership of Good Machine principals David Linde and James Schamus, who will serve as co-presidents. Ted Hope, Good Machine's third principal, will enter into a three-year, first-look agreement to produce feature films to be distributed by Focus. Mr. Linde and Mr. Schamus will report to Ms. Snider. Scott Greenstein, currently chairman, USA Films, will step down to pursue other opportunities. In addition, Stephane Sperry, currently co-president, StudioCanal U.S., will serve as liaison between Focus and StudioCanal Europe, and will report to Mr. Linde and Mr. Schamus.

In its new incarnation, Focus will operate as a fully independent motion picture company, combining the existing assets of USA Films' production, marketing and distribution operations with Good Machine's management team and international sales organization. Good Machine International, to be renamed Focus International, will continue to represent third party producers for international sales, along with representing Focus and Universal Pictures on their international sales activity. Mr. Linde will continue to directly run the operations of the international sales company.

In making the announcement, Ms. Snider said, "Our ongoing integration process has provided an opportunity for us to think philosophically about our goals in the specialty film business, and how we will maximize the potential in those assets. All too often, specialty film units are a spin-off of the primary business of a major studio. With the formation of Focus under the leadership of David and James, we have a combustible dynamic that combines a first-class independent marketing and distribution entity with an entrepreneurial spirit that we believe will create the global leader in specialty film. I couldn't be more delighted that David and James will lead this team, and that we can draw upon Ted as an invaluable resource for film projects. It's especially meaningful that the new company will be called Focus, a label that has a great legacy here at Universal and which speaks so clearly to our intentions in this business."

Ron Meyer, president and chief operating officer, Universal Studios said, "This new entity gives us the fire power we need to accelerate Universal's commitment to growing our specialty film business. The combination of strengths provided by Good Machine and USA Films is a great strategic fit, with the potential to build Focus into a world class, independent film operation."

Mr. Linde and Mr. Schamus added, "We are excited about coming to Universal at a time of great opportunity for the growth and expansion of the specialty film business. With the incredible support we're receiving from Ron and Stacey, we look forward to making Focus the most dynamic and creative home for independent filmmakers in the business."

Mr. Hope said, "I'm looking forward to being in business with Universal, and joining its creative family. What a great combination of opportunities -- finding a new home with a company that supports and nurtures filmmaker's visions, while continuing to work with my good friends and partners at Good Machine."

Formed in 1991, Good Machine is a film production, financing and sales company operating under the dual umbrellas of its production company Good Machine (GM) and international sales/financing company Good Machine International (GMI). In their short history, the two companies have produced and handled sales for over 100 feature and short films, with a combined 25 Oscar nominations, 20 Golden Globe nominations, 21 Sundance Film Festival entries (with four Grand Jury Prize Winners), which have earned a combined worldwide box office in excess of $400,000,000. Owned and run by Ted Hope, David Linde and James Schamus, Good Machine has built its reputation on discovering and nurturing new production talent and developed ongoing associations with such talents as Ang Lee, Nicole Holofcener, Todd Field, Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman, and Alfonso Cuaron. Among the films recently produced and/or sold by the two companies are Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," Todd Field's "In the Bedroom," Joel and Ethan Coen's "The Man Who Wasn't There" and Alfonso Cuaron's "Y tu Mama Tambien."

People: Pamela Levine and Tony Sella Named Co-Pres of Fox Domestic Marketing.

Pamela Levine and Tony Sella have been named co-presidents of domestic theatrical marketing at 20th Century Fox, in light of the abrupt departure of Alan Cohen last week. They report to Fox vice chairman Robert Harper.

Sella was previously executive vice president of marketing and creative director, heading the studio’s domestic creative marketing team. He has been at Fox since 1991.

Levine is currently senior vice president, marketing planning and research, overseeing and analyzing all market research conducted on the studio’s domestic theatrical releases.

They will take charge of Fox’s summer slate which includes Star Wars: Episode II — Attack Of The Clones, Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report and Like Mike starring Lil’ Bow Wow and Morris Chestnut.

People  magazine's "The 50 Most Beautiful People" (A-Z)

She didn't win the Academy Award for Moulin Rouge, but Nicole Kidman won a spot on the cover of People magazine's "The 50 Most Beautiful People" special issue.

Julia Roberts makes the 13th annual list for a record seventh time, and Halle Berry appears for the sixth time. "You know, I could think of a lot worse things to be labeled," said Berry, who won the best-actress Oscar this year for Monster's Ball.

Other familiar faces on the list include Cindy Crawford and Denzel Washington. Pop singers Britney Spears and Mandy Moore are both there.

From television, there's Sharon Osbourne, who's gained fame as Ozzy's wife on MTV's The Osbournes, and Jeff Corwin, host of Animal Planet's The Jeff Corwin Experience.

And a few athletes made the cut, including Tom Brady, quarterback of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, and Olympics gold medal-winning bobsledder Vonetta Flowers.

"The 50 Most Beautiful People" issue hits newsstands on Friday May 3, 2002

 Jennifer Aniston, actress
• Simon Baker, actor
• Halle Berry, actress
• Julie Bowen , actress
• Tom Brady, football player
• Matt Cedeno, actor
• Hayden Christensen, actor
• Jennifer Connelly, actress
• Jeff Corwin, animal show host
• Cindy Crawford, model
• Craig David, R&B singer
• Kirsten Dunst, actress
• Cameron Diaz, actress
• Jimmy Fallon, comedian
• Vonetta Flowers
• Jodie Foster, actress
• Jennifer Garner, actress
• Josh Hartnett, actor
• Marg Helgenberger, actress
• Jill Hennessy, actress
• Oliver Hudson, actor
• Hugh Jackman, actor
• Rashida Jones, actress
• Ashley Judd, actress
• Alicia Keys, musician
• Nicole Kidman, actress
• Boris Kodjoe, actor
• Nigella Lawson, TV chef
• Debra Messing, actress
• Mandy Moore, pop star
• Viggo Mortensen, actor
• Apolo Ohno, speed skater
• Sharon Osbourne, MTV star
• Zara Phillips, royal
• Natalie Portman, actress
• Julia Roberts, actress
• Mitt Romney, politician
• Alessandro Safina, opera singer
• Diane Sawyer, news anchor
• Shakira, pop singer
• Britney Spears, pop star
• Audrey Tautou, actress
• Paul Walker, actor
• Denzel Washington, actor
• Naomi Watts, actress
• Bernie Williams, baseball player
• Luke Wilson, actor
• Reese Witherspoon, actress
• Chely Wright, country singer
• Will Yun Lee, actor