'Spring' in bloom

Howard, Gere take 'Break'

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Gere

Howard

Richard Gere and Terrence Howard are in talks to star in "Spring Break in Bosnia," for which the Weinstein Co. has acquired North American, Australian and New Zealand distribution rights.

"The Matador" helmer Richard Shepard will direct.

Shepard wrote the comic drama, which is based on an Esquire article by Scott Anderson about the half-hearted attempt he and fellow journalists Sebastian Junger and John Falk made at corralling an alleged Bosnian war criminal. The three found themselves in a predicament when they were identified as a CIA hit squad.

Article was originally set up at Intermedia and Warner Independent by Mark Johnson, who produced "The Chronicles of Narnia." Though actors Gere, Howard and Topher Grace circled the project, Warner Bros. opted not to go forward with the film.

TWC stepped in quickly to grab distrib rights. Johnson and Scott Kroopf will produce the co-production of Intermedia and QED Intl. Latter, led by CEO Bill Block, will co-finance and handle worldwide sales.

The Weinstein Co. commitment makes the film a go for a summer start in Europe.

It is unclear whether Grace will return to round out the trio.

Gere just completed playing Clifford Irving in "The Hoax" for helmer Lasse Hallstrom. Howard, who's coming off "Crash" and "Hustle & Flow," stars in the drama "P.D.R."