HAPPY ENDING

Two years ago John Zarchen, 26, arrived in Hollywood from NYC with hopes of a movie career. After roles in “The Supernaturals” and “The Woo Woo Kid” (both upcoming), it looked like his Big Break had come when he was cast as Molly Ringwald’s best friend in Tri-Star’s “Maybe Baby.”

The Big Dream turned into a Big Nightmare when Zarchen, who’d filmed his first scenes on location in Winnipeg, then returned to L.A. for studio work and took a spill on his motorcycle.

He told us: “The next thing I remember was waking up in Hollywood Presbyterian. I’d gone into a curb and had bruises, cuts and required three stitches in the back of my head.”

Doctors informed him that he’d also require physical therapy and that in three months he’d be fine.

“Maybe Baby” producer Walter Coblenz said that preliminary plans were to recast Zarchen. “What we initially heard was pretty shocking. He was on the critical list and was bleeding internally.” Replacing him would mean reshooting and writing out his character. His scenes in Winnipeg, shot in the snow, would have to be rethought because of the prohibitive cost of returning to Canada, where the snow’s long gone.

However, Coblenz added, after visiting Zarchen in the hospital, he opted for a less realistic alternative:”We just kept putting off making any decision. When we finally had to address the situation, he was able to film his scenes with a little help from the makeup department.”

Zarchen was discharged from the hospital last week after 24 days and recommenced his role. But he’s sold his motorcycle.