UGC tackles 'Blueberry,' 'Fantomas'

'Amelie' financiers drop coin on two more pics

By ALISON JAMES

PARIS -- Flush from its success with "Amelie," French cinema group UGC will finance two ambitious projects, Jan Kounen's "Blueberry" and the police comedy "Fantomas," company sources said Monday.

Thomas Langmann, son of French filmmaking legend Claude Berri, will produce.

The English-language "Blueberry," based on the cartoon adventures of a Western hero, will be Kounen's first pic since his 1997 helming debut "Dobermann." Pic stars Vincent Cassel and Tcheky Karyo, with the principal role poised to go to an American actor.

Second-time helmer Frederic Forestier will direct "Fantomas," a remake of the 1960s hit film franchise that starred Jean Marais and Louis De Funes. Forestier recently finished shooting his directorial debut, the actioner "Dead Weight," with co-director Alain Berberian.

Pic was also the first produced by Langmann, whose company, La Petite Reine, is named after Berri's Renn Prods. UGC Intl. is expected to handle international sales of both films.