THE WRITE STUFF

Who is Ron Bass and why does he have a dozen screenplays in development and production?

He said that his 17-year stint as an entertainment lawyer didn’t hurt. And then there was a trio of novels--two involving espionage. (One became a little-seen, Bass-scripted film, “Code Name: Emerald,” with Ed Harris--”It never even played L.A.,” laughed Bass.)

Now there’s a trio of films from Bass scripts, all due out soon: “Black Widow,” directed by Bob Rafelson (for 20th Century Fox), is a mystery thriller starring Debra Winger and Teresa Russell. Francis Coppola directs “Gardens of Stone” (for Tri-Star), adapted from Nicholas Proffitt’s novel, about a sergeant (James Caan) who oversees the burial of Vietnam casualties at Arlington National Cemetery. “Amazing Grace and Chuck” (also Tri-Star) is an Americana fable with anti-nuke sentiments, with Mike Newell directing Jamie Lee Curtis, Gregory Peck and William K. Petersen (Bass co-scripted that one with producer David Field).

Still in the works, claims Bass, are four scripts “that studios want to make that either have directors or are looking for directors” and five that he’s contracted to write. He’s also signed to do two more novels--”when I can find the time.”