Last Update: February 2nd 1998 - Movie News/Rumours

Box Office - Titanic stayed afloat atop the North American box office charts for the seventh consecutive weekend, and earned more than the three wide release newcomers combined, according to studio estimates. The sinking-ship saga earned about $26 million for the Friday-to-Sunday period, which propelled its 45-day total to $308.2 million. "Titanic'' now stands as the seventh-highest grossing film of all time! "Great Expectations'' debuted in second place this weekend with $9.9 million. "Good Will Hunting'' held steady in third. "Spice World'' fell two spots to fourth place. "As Good As It Gets'' slipped a notch to fifth place.

The Big Lebowski - The script for this new film from the Coen brothers (Fargo) is now available on the internet. Thanks to Drew for finding it! You can download your copy right here.

The Incredible Mr. Limpet - After nearly a year attempting to lure Jim Carrey for a remake of the 1964 comedy "The Incredible Mr. Limpet," the hit-free Warner Bros. has found nearly irresistible bait to hook the star and put the fish story into production this spring: WB has signed Steve Oedekerk to write and direct it. It marks a reteaming of the duo behind the hit 1995 film "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls."

Ryan O'Neal would like to make a John Travolta-style comeback. Except for his breakup with Farrah Fawcett, O'Neal has been out of the public eye for quite a while but now he has two new movies. He plays the heavy in Ben Stiller's "The Zero Effect'' and also has a starring role in ''Burn, Hollywood Burn! An Alan Smithee Film.'' When a New York Daily News interviewer asked about Travolta's career revival, O'Neal said: "I'm all for that. I'm looking to work again -- all kinds of parts. But my career's in the hands of the gods.''

A Midsummer Night's Dream - Fox Searchlight is near deals for a dream cast for A Midsummer Night's Dream, the adaptation of the Shakespeare play scripted and to be directed by Michael Hoffman. According to sources, Rupert Everett is now poised to sign on and join Kevin Kline and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Last Update: February 3rd 1998 - Movie News/Rumours

The Blast From the Past - Dave Foley of NBC's "NewsRadio'' has joined the cast of "The Blast From the Past,'' a romantic comedy starring Brendan Fraser, Alicia Silverstone, Christopher Walken and Sissy Spacek. Variety says the film, which is being directed by Hugh Wilson, is about a young man (Fraser) who has been raised his entire life in a bomb shelter. He emerges after 30 years into an unfamiliar world. Foley also stars in the upcoming comedy "The Wrong Guy,'' which was directed by David Steinberg.

Dumb & Dumber 2? - Variety reports that "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have signed on with New Line to script the prequel to "Dumb & Dumber." The deal will pay a guaranteed $1.5 million upfront, with salary bumps if the film gets made and becomes a box office hit. The original was written and directed by Peter and Bob Farrelly, who might still do a sequel with the original cast. That could take years, and New Line decided to quickly go a prequel route that will focus on the simple-minded brothers at the age of 16.

You Have Mail - Comedian Dave Chappelle, currently starring in the marijuana farce "Half Baked,'' will have a role in the romantic comedy "You Have Mail,'' which features Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. That's according to Variety. "You Have Mail,'' loosely based on the 1940 Ernst Lubitsch comedy "The Shop Around the Corner,'' is about two people who fall in love with each other through their lengthy correspondence, before ever meeting in person. Greg Kinnear and Parker Posey will also star. The Nora Ephron project is scheduled for a Christmas release.

Posters - A few new movie posters today, one for the upcoming Dream Works' flick, "Small Soldiers", and a poster for yet another upcoming movie from Dream Works, "Paulie", enjoy! [ Thanks to 'Jawad' for the alert! ]

I Know What You Did Last Summer 2 - Corona reports that screenwriter Trey Callaway has been called in to fill Kevin Williamson's shoes, and that Hewett and Prinze's characters are returning for the sequel.

Untitled Al Pacino - Russel Crowe Preject: Director Michael Mann has set Al Pacino and Russell Crowe to star in an untitled film based on the true story of tobacco exec-turned-whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand and his relationship with 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman. Mann will begin shooting in late April from a script by Eric Roth ("Forest Gump") for Touchstone Pictures. The film was developed from a Vanity Fair article that Mann optioned in 1996. The piece detailed how Wigand's life was almost ruined by a smear campaign and litigation waged by the tobacco industry.

Mission: Impossible 2 - Rumors indicate that Oliver Stone has left the project.. Tom Cruise has been tied up in Eyes Wide Shut for fourteen months, and apparently Stone doesn't want to be forced to wait because of Kubrick.. More rumours indicate that John Woo may be the next choice to direct Mission Impossible 2!