Films going into production:BUM RAP (Millennium)....

Films going into production:

BUM RAP (Millennium). Shooting in NYC. Craig Wasson portrays a struggling actor and loser in general who’s told that a rare disease will take his life in 72 hours. Upon receipt of this sobering news, he lives his final days with verve and gusto. Producers Jon Kilik and Chris Quinn. Director/screenwriter Daniel Irom. Also stars Blanche Baker and Al Lewis. Fall release.

COCOON II (Zanuck/Brown). Shooting in Miami. Virtually the whole cast returns to this new installment of aquatic wonderment and Ponce de Leon out-of-this-world style fantasy. Producers Richard Zanuck, David Brown and Lili Fini Zanuck. Director Daniel Petrie. Screenwriters Stephen McPherson and Elizabeth Bradley. Stars Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Jack Gilford, Steve Guttenberg, Maureen Stapleton, Jessica Tandy, Gwen Verdon, Tahnee Welch and Elaine Stritch. Distributor 20th Century Fox. Christmas release.

ICE HOUSE (Cactus). Shooting in NYC and Texas. Based on Bo Brinkman’s Off-Broadway play, this drama deals with a pair of intense lovers and their tumultuous move from Baytown, Tex., to Hollywood. Producer Brinkman. Director Eagle Pennell. Screenwriter Brinkman. Stars Melissa Gilbert, Brinkman, Buddy Quaid (yes, another one) and Andreas Manolikakis.

MISSISSIPPI BURNING (Mississippi Co.). Shooting in Jackson. Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe star in this Alan Parker-directed tale of two FBI agents of diverse backgrounds who team up on a sensitive case. It’s the turbulent South in 1964 and they’re assigned the task of locating three college students who have vanished. Producers Frederick Zollo and Robert F. Colesberry. Screenwriter Chris Gerolmo.

THE TENDER (Mercury/Douglas Films/TWE). Shooting in Chicago and L.A. John Travolta’s relationship with his 8-year-old daughter evolves when she saves the life of a lovable little dog and brings it home. Executive producers Michael Phillips and Michael Douglas. Producer Chris Chesser. Director Robert Harmon. Screenwriter Robert Stitzel. Distributor TWE.