Miramax Hopes To Make Allen’s "Celebrity" Famous, Hallstrom To Helm Irving Pic

by Mark Rabinowitz

Miramax Films has picked up the North American rights to Woody Allen's latest effort, "Celebrity," returning the award-winning filmmaker to the company that distributed his "Bullets Over Broadway," "Mighty Aphrodite" and "Everyone Says I Love You." "Celebrity" was written and directed by Allen, and features one of his patented ensemble casts, including Kenneth Branagh, Judy Davis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Melanie Griffith, Joe Mantegna, Gretchen Mol and Winona Ryder, among others. The film is, of course, set in New York, and deals with the phenomenon of celebrity and how absurd it can be. Recent Allen films received both critical nods and award nominations, with two winning Oscars. "Bullets Over Broadway" was nominated for seven Oscars, with Dianne Wiest winning for Best Supporting Actress and "Mighty Aphrodite" garnered a Best Supporting Actress win for Mira Sorvino. FIne Line's "Deconstructing Harry" was nominated for Best Original Screenplay, giving Allen his thirteenth writing nomination, passing Billy Wilder for most all-time. In other Miramax news, the company also announced that it has signed director Lasse Hallstrom ("My Life as a Dog," "What's Eating Gilbert Grape") to direct the film of John Irving's novel, "The Cider House Rules," from a script by Irving.

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