Harold Becker, who turned out a sleeper hit on the subject of medical malpractice with "Malice," is now turning his sights toward Gotham city politics.
Becker reportedly is making a deal with Paramount to direct "City Hall," described as a "'Network'-type drama" set in city government.
Bo Goldman ("Scent of a Woman") is scripting, and preliminary talks have been held with Tom Cruise to star.
Becker also has a non-exclusive first-look deal with Castle Rock that was signed while the Rock pic "Malice" was in the works. Among the projects they've been discussing is "Bodies Electric," the Colin Harrison novel that was optioned by "Malice" star Alec Baldwin. The director has been trying for years to make a movie out of the Truman Capote short story "Handcarved Coffins," possibly at Castle Rock.
He'll also bring together the "Sea of Love" team of himself, producer Martin Bregman and Al Pacino to do the Ruth Etting story at Universal -- about the singer/actress whose career was launched by gangster Moe Snyder, who then tried to destroy her when he became jealous of her success. But it looks like "City Hall," with Paramount, will be his next project.
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