By Romeo San Vicente
Heather Graham has her 'Cake'
Heather Graham, who's already dipped her foot in the lesbian well by starring in the upcoming girl/girl/boy triangle-themed romantic comedy "Gray Matters" (opposite "Troy" beauty Saffron Burrows), is about to step into the lead in "Cake," from lesbian director Nisha Ganatra. A veteran "Real World" helmer and creator of the queer film festival favorite "Chutney Popcorn," Ganatra will direct Graham and "Under the Tuscan Sun"'s Sandra Oh in this modern romantic comedy about a travel writer whose don't-fence-me-in lifestyle comes into conflict with her new job: taking the reins at her father's conservative bridal magazine. The movie begins shooting in Canada any minute now, with First Look Media securing the international rights. All that's left to wonder about is whether Graham's character will say "I do" to a man or a woman before the credits roll. Either way, it's all legal in Canada.
Andre 3000 no hollywood outcast
Andre Benjamin, better known as Andre 3000 of the hugely popular rap group OutKast, has signed on to his next motion picture role. Already in production on the "Get Shorty" sequel "Be Cool," with John Travolta and Uma Thurman, Benjamin will next star in an untitled 1970s-period film to be helmed by gay director Paris Barclay ("The West Wing.") Though its title may be a mystery, a few plot details are known: Benjamin will play an upper-middle-class musical prodigy who falls in love with a white girl from a poor family. The film begins shooting this October in New Orleans. Expect a great soundtrack album to coincide with the probable 2005 release. Who knows, this could turn out to be Andre's "Purple Rain."
'Beckham' director reopens 'The Closet'
No matter how popular a foreign-language film is in the United States, it's a sure bet that the majority of Americans still won't see it. That's why the hit French comedy "The Closet" is getting the English treatment from director Gurinder Chadha. "Bend It Like Beckham" was the filmmaker's most recent movie, so it's probably safe to say that if anyone can create an across-all-demographics, crowd-pleasing, gay-themed comedy, it's the director of an international smash about – of all things – girls' soccer. The original "Closet" starred Daniel Auteuil as an accountant in a condom factory who, facing unemployment, pretends to be gay. Threatened with a discrimination lawsuit, the company keeps him on, but his co-workers' perceptions prove to be more than he bargained for. No cast is fixed yet for this remake, due out in 2006, but Romeo thinks it would be great if England's uber-metrosexual himself, David Beckham, joined the show.
Seriously, dude, I'm a big liar
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation may already be up in arms, but Romeo thinks low-brow, guess-who's-gay reality shows just get better and better. Coming soon to an idiot box near everyone is "Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay," the show that will allow a very secure straight man the opportunity to win 50,000 big ones – dollars, that is – by pretending to be "that way." Contestants will be seen moving into West Hollywood apartments with gay roommates, outing themselves to friends, and hanging out in gay bars. They'll even go on blind dates with other men and try to convince "a jury of their queers" that they're the real deal. Sounds like fun – potentially offensive fun, but still fun. The wanna-be WeHo queens come to Fox – where else? – on June 7.
