CNN - The Hollywood Minute

The Hollywood Minute

May 18, 1996
Web posted at: 10:00 a.m. EDT

From Correspondent Dennis Michael

Director David Cronenberg has a new project in the works. The Hollywood Reporter trade paper reports from the Cannes Film Festival that Cronenberg is about to set to work on "Red Cars." The movie centers on the Formula One race circuit in the 1960s. Cronenberg's current project, "Crash," is in competition at the festival.

Some celebrities gave recognition to a worthy cause last weekend. Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds performed at a fund-raiser for the United Negro College Fund Greg Phillinganes Music Scholarship in Los Angeles. Some of the industry's biggest names attended the performance.

Director Oliver Stone has finally found a subject too tough to tackle. Stone has backed out of the movie "Men and Fire," about a group of firefighters isolated by a forest fire, according to Daily Variety. He made the decision after doing some location scouting and talking with some of the survivors of the incident on which the movie's script was based.

"Luke Skywalker" has a new ally: Pepsi. The soft drink company has teamed up with Lucasfilm to promote the release of the revised version of the Star Wars saga and its upcoming prequels. The promotional deal is reportedly worth $2 billion.

Star Wars

The play "The Normal Heart" will cross over to the silver screen, with Annette Benning set to star. Daily Variety reports Benning will play Dr. Emma Brookner. The role was also coveted by Barbra Streisand.

Sony Pictures has pushed back the release date of the film "The Fan," starring Robert DeNiro as a fan obsessed with a baseball star played by Wesley Snipes. The film was originally set to be released July 26, but has been postponed to mid-August to avoid conflict with "A Time to Kill" from Warner Brothers as well as the Olympic Games on television.

"The Fan" - Sony Pictures

Kenneth Branaugh is the one-man band behind the thriller "Provocation." The Hollywood Reporter indicates the actor and filmmaker is committed to writing the Castle Rock Entertainment film, and may direct and star in it.

U-2 is working on a new album. The group recently polished up some tracks in Miami with an eye toward releasing a new disc in the fall. Thirty tracks are reportedly recorded so far, and the group is now in the paring-down process. No title has been announced yet.

A new old film by the Beatles is going on sale. The film is a silent 8-mm clip of the Fab Four with Pete Best performing at the Casanova Club on Valentine's Day in 1961. The owner of the film is asking for $7,500 a second for the historic footage. The film was broadcast on British television this week.

The Beatles

Previous Hollywood Minutes

May 15:"The Birdcage" soars over the competition in international markets
May 14: Actor Bruce Willis takes to the skies
May 13: Pamela Anderson Lee "Giftwrapped"
May 10: Bruce Willis moonlighting as an honorary doctor
May 9: "Tommy" closes Frankfurt run after disappointing sales
May 8: "Absolute Power" to corrupt Gene Hackman, Clint Eastwood, Ed Harris and Scott Glenn
May 7: Meatloaf kicks off tour
May 6: Now, it's Elton's clothes coming out of the closet
May 3: Hootie and Blowfish prove impervious to the so-called "sophomore slump."
May 2: Anthony Edwards trades in his scalpel
May 1: Garth Brooks is the year's top concert draw
April 30: "Seven" has been a lucky number
April 29:Courtney Cox to star in Wes Craven's "Scream"
April 26: Newman sails away with ASCAP award
April 25: Muppets will be back after sweeps
April 24: Jay Leno is heading to California ...
April 23: Cast members from all 4 Treks beam into Pasadena convention
April 22: Gee Willikers! AMC hosts Shirley Temple film festival

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Feedback

Send us your comments.
Selected responses are posted daily.

The Hollywood Minute

Previous Hollywood Minutes

Feedback

| CONTENTS | SEARCH | CNN HOME PAGE | MAIN SHOWBIZ PAGE |