Kaplan to take lease on 'Palace'
Kaplan replaces Carl Franklin who quit the project in June over casting differences with 20th Century Fox and Laura Ziskin's Fox 2000 film division (Daily Variety, June 25). Claire Danes will star in the drama, based on an original story by David Arata and Fields. Arata also penned the screenplay.
The contemporary drama tells the story of two teenage girls who travel to Thailand on a vacation that turns into a nightmare when the youngsters are thrown into prison for smuggling.
Despite the temporary setback of Franklin's departure, the film is on track to begin production on location in Southeast Asia in November.
Kaplan has gained recognition for his acumen in pulling tour de force performances out of his female stars. He helmed Jodie Foster's Academy Award-winning turn in "The Accused"; Michele Pfeiffer's Oscar-nominated role in "Love Field"; and Bonnie Bedelia's critically lauded turn in "Heart Like a Wheel."
The helmer --- whose other credits include "Immediate Family," "Unlawful Entry" and "Bad Girls" ---recently directed the Emmy-nominated TV remake of Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" for CBS.
Kaplan is repped by UTA's Andrew Cannava and Peter Benedek. He's managed by Nick Wechsler and Stephanie Davis of Addis-Wechsler & Associates.
