Redford revs Che's 'Cycle'

Late revolutionary's book centers on LatAm bike ride

By MARY SUTTER, CHARLES LYONS

Salles

Robert Redford's Wildwood Enterprises is moving forward with "The Motorcycle Diaries," the Che Guevara memoir, with Walter Salles ("Central Station") attached to direct.

Redford will serve as executive producer. Jose Rivera will pen the screenplay. Wildwood prexy Michael Nozik will produce, along with Leslie Urdang and Karen Tenkhoff. Pic will be made in association with Italian journalist Gianni Mina, who acquired the screen rights from Guevara's widow in Cuba.

Project will be financed under Wildwood's deal with Kirch's Epsilon.

Book centers on a motorcycle trip Guevara took through Latin America.

It's unclear whether "Motorcycle" will be Salles' next project; he is also attached to direct "The Assumption of the Virgin" to be produced by Anthony Minghella's wife, Carolyn Choa, with David Lascelles also on board to produce. Minghella will exec produce. Juliette Binoche is attached to star with financing via Intermedia. (Variety, Dec. 10).

Southfork Pictures, a division of Wildwood, is executive producing "People I Know," which stars Al Pacino and is slated to begin lensing in New York later this year. Myriad is on board to distribute domestically (Daily Variety, Jan. 12).