Nicholson eyeing MGM pic 'Julip'
Jack to helm adaption of Jim Harrison novella
Jack Nicholson, who is currently riding waves of critical acclaim for his starring role in "As Good As It Gets," now wants to step behind the camera to direct as well as star in the MGM feature "Julip."
While no deal is in place, insiders said Nicholson has agreed to develop a new script with author Jim Harrison -- who wrote the 1994 novella on which the film will be based -- and his daughter Jamie Harrison. Kevin Walls had scripted a previous draft.
Neither producer David Foster nor MGM president Michael Nathanson could be reached for comment. Nicholson's agent Sandy Bresler refused comment.
The story surrounds Julip, a beautiful dog trainer whose brother has been sent to prison after shooting each of her three lovers. Although Julip willingly had affairs with the men -- who are unaware of each other's relationship with her -- her brother believes he was only avenging her defilement. Julip then must convince her three lovers to help get her brother declared mentally incompetent and freed from prison.
MGM first acquired the film rights to Harrison's novella in 1996 for director Jon Amiel, who dropped out last year. The studio recently struck a healthy new option on the material and the services of Harrison, who has had three other works on the bigscreen: "Legends of the Fall," "Revenge" and "Wolf."
Harrison's literary agent/manager Bob Datilla is exec producing "Julip" along with E.M. Green.
If the deal comes together, "Julip" would mark Nicholson's first helming stint since the 1990 film "The Two Jakes." The Academy Award-winning actor's other turns behind the camera include "Goin' South" in 1978 and "Drive, He Said" in 1972, which he also wrote and produced.(Paul Karon contributed to this report.)
