Levinson finds his 'Man'

Williams to star in Morgan Creek's 'Year'

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Williams

Levinson

Morgan Creek is wrapping up negotiations to finance "Man of the Year," a comedy that will re-team Robin Williams with director Barry Levinson. Levinson, who wrote the script, will begin production late in the fall.

Williams, who starred in the Levinson-directed "Good Morning, Vietnam" and "Toys," will play a Jon Stewart-like host of a latenight political talkshow who runs for president to make noise on the campaign trail. The stunt backfires after a series of unusual circumstances leads him to victory. Pic will shoot in Toronto, with exteriors in Maryland and D.C.

Levinson, who last covered the political satire terrain in "Wag the Dog," gave the script to Williams, who sparked to the comedy. Morgan Creek then stepped up. The film is expected to be distributed domestically through Universal, which has a distribution output arrangement with Morgan Creek.

U this weekend releases the Morgan Creek drama "Two for the Money," starring Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey, under that output arrangement. Universal is a co-financing partner with Morgan Creek on the Robert De Niro-directed "The Good Shepherd," starring Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie. U owns domestic while Morgan Creek owns overseas territories.

Williams just shot the road trip comedy "RV" with director Barry Sonnenfeld for Columbia Pictures. Morgan Creek was unavailable to comment.