U steals Shannon for 'Grinch'

Thesp to star opposite Carrey

By MICHAEL FLEMING

In what could portend a who's who in Whoville cast, Molly Shannon has landed the female lead alongside Jim Carrey in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" The Imagine Films production for Universal will be directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer.

Shannon, a "Saturday Night Live" regular cast member, will play Betty Lou Who, mother of the famed Cindy Lou Who, who is roused from her sleep by the Grinch as he tries to plunder Christmas from Whoville in the classic tale by Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Mrs. Who is not in the original book, but is a big presence in the pic.

The film is skedded to begin shooting Aug. 9, from a script by Peter Seaman and Jeffrey Price.

Most recently seen in "Analyze This," Shannon will next be seen alongside Drew Barrymore in the upcoming comedy "Never Been Kissed," and just completed work starring in "Superstar," the Bruce McCullough-directed comedy based on her "SNL" character creation Mary Catherine Gallagher, the rebellious but clumsy Catholic school girl.

The film will be released in September from Paramount. Shannon's repped by Steven Levy of Innovative Artists and attorney Steve Warren. She's managed by Brillstein-Grey.