Par ready to strut its Tut

Studio uncovers Crawford's 'King'

By CHRIS GARDNER

Paramount Pictures is dipping into the tomb of "King Tut," acquiring a pitch from scribe Neil Crawford for studio-based Lorenzo di Bonaventura to produce.

Story is described as an action-adventure/romance pic, loosely based on Howard Carter's discovery of King Tut's treasures in 1922 Egypt. Deal marks Crawford's first studio deal.

At the studio, the project is being overseen by production co-prexy Brad Weston and exec Dan Levine. Di Bonaventura's shingle project was brought in by Erik Howsam.

Di Bonaventura's company has been on the move lately. Just this week, shingle announced that it had picked up the pitch "Olivia and Me" from scribes Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson in addition to firming up Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes, Charlie Cox and Sienna Miller to star in "Stardust" for helmer Matthew Vaughn and Par.