FIRST OFF . . .

Sequelmania was alive and well in Hollywood on Thursday, with follow-ups to two successful films--one American, one an Australian pick-up--officially announced. Paramount Pictures confirmed that “Crocodile Dundee II” will begin production in Australia the last week of August, with Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski set to reprise their “Crocodile Dundee” characters. The original film has already grossed $174 million at U.S. theaters and is a hot item at video stores (see VideoLog on Page 25). Hogan is once again co-writing the screenplay (with son Brett Hogan), and John Cornell will produce and direct. Cornell said that the release date is tentatively set for summer, 1988. Over at Orion, “RoboCop II” has been given the go-ahead by production executives, although no script, casting or director have been slated as yet. Orion production vice president Jon Sheinberg said Thursday that the sequel will be softened to cater to a PG or PG-13 audience rather than an R crowd. Sheinberg said he thought it likely that “RoboCop” stars Peter Weller and Nancy Allen would return for the sequel.