'Sphere' rolls for reshoots
Six months after wrapping principal photography on Warner Bros.' "Sphere," director Barry Levinson has pulled the cast and crew back to the film's elaborate Northern California set to reshoot scenes for the underwater sci-fi thriller after test audiences responded coolly to the original climax, according to sources close to the project.
Pic also went back into the shop for some last-minute dialog replacement and new computer-generated visual effects, the sources said.
"Sphere," starring Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone and Samuel L. Jackson, is based on Michael Crichton's 1987 novel of the same name. Story is about a secret Navy mission to explore what appears to be an alien spaceship deep in the ocean. Scientists discover the craft is actually an American ship from the future that has traveled back through time. But inside the ship is another, spherical craft -- one that is not only of alien origin, but that possesses bizarre psychological powers.
Stephen Hauser and Paul Attanasio scripted.
Warners is still aiming to hit its previously planned mid-February Presidents Day release date for the film.
-- Paul Karon
Spottiswoode on 'S.W.A.T.' team?
After helming the latest 007 installment, "Tomorrow Never Dies," Roger Spottiswoode is circling TriStar's "S.W.A.T." as his next project, sources said.
Although studio sources have confirmed that they are talking to Spottiswoode about the project, a deal is understood to hinge on Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to star in the feature version of the '70s TV series.
Both Spottiswoode and Schwarzenegger are repped by Robert Klein of the William Morris Agency, who declined to comment.
Oliver Stone and Dan Halstead's Illusion Entertainment are producing. Video helmer Marcus Nispel most recently was attached, but dropped out over creative differences with TriStar.
-- Chris Petrikin and Dan Cox
Miramax's Brit pack picks name
LONDON -- At last, it's official. The name of Miramax's new London-based joint venture with former Channel 4 film chiefs David Aukin and Colin Leventhal and ex-Miramax exec Trea Hoving is -- Hal Films.
The title, of course, comes from the initials of the three principals. Hal Films is due to open for business later this month, taking over all Miramax's U.K.-based production and acquisition activities.
-- Adam Dawtrey
Contact Variety Staff at
news@variety.com