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The Hollywood Minute
Director Cameron makes 'Titanic' sacrifice
May 7, 1997
Web posted at: 5:27 p.m. EDT (2127 GMT)From Correspondent Dennis Michael
Filmmaker James Cameron is making a major sacrifice for his latest movie, "Titanic." In a letter to the Los Angeles Times yesterday, the filmmaker announced he's going to waive his producing and directing fees and all personal profits from the movie to reduce the "Titanic's financial impact on 20th Century Fox. The movie is reported to cost well over $200 million.
Angela Bassett will be flying high in her next film. The actress will star in "Wings Against the Wind," playing Bessie Coleman, the first African-American female pilot. Daily Variety reports Danny Glover and Gerard Depardieu will also be in the film.
Robert Downey Jr. is the latest to be drawn to the sequel to "The Fugitive." Daily Variety reports the actor is set to play a major role in "U.S. Marshals." The film will bring back Tommy Lee Jones' "Sam Gerard" character for yet another case.
"Sleepers" is now the top-rented movie in the country, according to the Billboard Home Video rental charts. The drama moved up from second place last week. Following "Sleepers" on the chart is "The Long Kiss Goodnight," "The First Wives Club," "William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet" and "The Chamber."
The "force" is still conquering international markets. "Return of the Jedi" was the top box office draw both in the United Kingdom and in Germany. "The Saint" was tops in Australia; "Metro" brought in crowds in Brazil; "Fierce Creatures" is the champ in Sweden; and in Italy, audiences are lining up for "Liar, Liar."
Is Mel Gibson the busiest man in Hollywood? The Hollywood studios are certainly trying to help him earn that title. Daily Variety reports the actor is working on a script for a new version of "Fahrenheit 451," in which Gibson will star and direct. However, Paramount is attempting to convince him to do a spy drama called "Pathfinder" before filming that movie and Tristar has a script called "Endurance," about an Antarctic expedition, for Mel.
A sequel to "Angels in the Outfield" has begun shooting in Vancouver. "Angels in the Endzone," a TV movie to air on "The Wonderful World of Disney" next season. Christopher Lloyd will return as the character Al the Angel, who doesn't let his position as a supernatural being get in the way of being a sports fan.
The "Star Wars Trilogy" is traveling the world and the next stop is ... Japan. "Star Wars" will open there on the last day of May and run for five weeks. Both "Empire" and "Jedi" will run for three weeks. Fox will spend $17 million advertising The Force" to Japan.
"Liar, Liar" holds onto the record for the biggest film of 1997 so far. Figures released by the Hollywood Reporter indicate the comedy has taken in $151 million in just six weeks, beating "Jerry Maguire" which earned its $150 million dollars in just over 20 weeks of release.
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