By Romeo San Vicente
Stars line up for Dylan
His first film starred Barbie dolls, but these days, when it's time to cast one of his movies, Oscar-nominated gay director Todd Haynes ("Far From Heaven") appears to have his pick of Hollywood names. For his latest feature, "I'm Not There" – an unconventional look at the life of Bob Dylan, with seven characters representing various moments in the music legend' s life and work – Haynes is working with a pack of A-listers. Cate Blanchett, Adrien Brody, Colin Farrell, Richard Gere, longtime Haynes collaborator Julianne Moore, and French actor Charlotte Gainsbourg have agreed to take roles in the movie. Meanwhile, Haynes' script has the blessing of Bob himself, and cameras are expected to roll this fall.
Bryan Singer visits 'Castro Street'
"X-Men" auteur Bryan Singer is still busy with "Superman," but the openly gay director has already selected his next job. Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have signed Singer to helm the long-awaited biopic of Harvey Milk, "The Mayor of Castro Street." Numerous directors, from Oliver Stone to Gus Van Sant, have circled the life story of Milk – one of the first openly gay men elected to political office in the United States, who was assassinated in 1978 – but after over a decade of false starts, the project finally appears to have legs. Warner Bros. will handle distribution, and writer Brandon Boyce ("Apt Pupil") will adapt Randy Shilts' biography of Milk for the screen. No casting news yet, but Romeo hopes no closeted actors apply for the gig.
'This American Life' leaps to TV
National Public Radio's "This American Life" is one of the highlights of radio programming in this country. Created and hosted by Ira Glass, the show features quietly humane, often hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, and always fascinating true stories culled from every walk of life, narrated by the everyday people who've lived them. So in this age of reality TV, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to make the aural visual. Lesbian producer Christine Vachon ("Far From Heaven," "Boys Don't Cry") of Killer Films is producing a "This American Life" pilot for Showtime alongside Glass, in hopes that a full series will follow. The pilot will focus on the same first-person formula that made the radio version a success. Romeo's TiVo trigger finger is already itching for this one.
Megan Mullally wants to talk
With "Will & Grace" entering its eighth and possibly last season, the cast is looking toward the future, and Megan Mullally already has hers staked out. When the Emmy-winning actress leaves the "W&G" set for the last time, she'll walk right into her own talk show for NBC-Universal. The star is in final negotiations for a reported mid-seven-figure deal to host the syndicated daytime show, one in which her musical and comedic talents will be put to use. The show is scheduled to begin in 2006, even if "W&G" goes beyond eight seasons. Will the beloved actor's turn as host go the way of Ellen DeGeneres or of Jane Pauley (whose much-hyped show never connected with viewers)? Viewers have a while to wait to find out. In the meantime, here's hoping Mullally's got some cool dance moves of her own.
