Julia Stiles. Image courtesy of Universal Pictures__________
Julia Stiles Enters The Bell Jar
Woody Allen once described Sylvia Plath as an 'interesting poetess whose tragic suicide was misinterpreted as romantic by the college-girl mentality.' Now the next generation of undergraduates will be introduced to Plath with a new movie version of The Bell Jar, produced by lesbian mogul Christine Vachon ( Boys Don't Cry, Far From Heaven ) . Previously brought to the screen in 1979, Plath's autobiographical novel tells the story of a young writer's mental breakdown, set against the backdrop of the stultifying 1950s, from the Rosenberg executions to handsy college boys. Julia Stiles ( whose Plum Pictures will co-produce with Vachon's Killer Films ) will star in this new version, which should gloom its way into theaters in 2008. Playwright Tristine Skyler will adapt the book, but a director has not yet been attached.
Chad Allen Signs on for Gay December-December Romance
Romeo has reported on David Duchovny's plan to make a gay romantic comedy set in a home for senior citizens, but now the X Files actor—who, in Romeo's heart, will always be Twin Peaks' cross-dressing FBI agent—has some help. Chad Allen has signed on to help develop the project. Allen recently noted that finding the leads for the film has been difficult, but not because the characters are gay. Rather, it's been harder to find actors willing to acknowledge that they're old enough to play retirees. Once Duchovny and Allen find their sexy seniors, the project should quickly go into production. Allen's participation in front of the camera is still up in the air, but in the meantime, he's appearing next in the 'ex-gay' love story Save Me, opposite Robert Gant and Judith Light.
Entourage's Rex Lee Puts on Shades
Thanks to his hilarious role as assistant to Jeremy Piven's blowhard Hollywood agent on Entourage, Rex Lee joins Alec Mapa in the all-too-small ranks of openly gay Asian actors on TV. And lucky for both Lee and his fans, his HBO exposure is opening the doors to other gigs. Lee will soon be seen in writer-director Jaffar Mahmood's romantic comedy Shades of Ray, slated to hit theaters before the end of the year. In a recent interview, Lee put a very fine point on the nature of his role, noting that he plays 'the main co-worker of the main love interest of the main sidekick to the main male protagonist.' Kathy Baker and Sarah Shahi ( who played Carmen on The L Word ) co-star.
Schumacher Believes in Saints
Gay director Joel Schumacher's The Number 23 may have disappointed at the box office this year, but that's not stopping him from setting his sights for another supernatural thriller. Of course, while his new project, Inland Saints, is being described as an urban drama with supernatural elements, it also has an air of West Side Story's star-crossed lovers about it. Written by Kurt Sutter ( The Shield ) , the movie will tell the story of two teenagers who fall in love—the boy's the leader of a dangerous street gang, while the girl is the daughter of the police detective who's been assigned to bring down that very same gang. No word yet as to who will star in the film, currently slated to open in 2009.
Romeo San Vicente has never been accused of saint-like behavior. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com .
