Cinefile

Gene Hackman puts on a badge again for Tri-Star’s and Aaron Spelling’s “Face Off,” investigating a series of bizarre murders. But there’s a twist. This time everything’s aimed at dark comedy--beginning with the casting of Dan Aykroyd as his partner! Bob Clark directs, script by Richard and Chris Matheson, to begin filming July 10 in NYC, D.C. and Toronto. . . . Jane Fonda and producer Paula Weinstein are developing a high-flying comedy about stewardesses for MGM provisionally titled “Grounded.” Expect a name change because Disney has the same title for its yarn about kids who fall victim to a ray that shrinks things. . . . What does heaven look like? In HandMade’s “Checking Out,” actor Jeff Daniels winds up in a crowded, heavily littered hereafter where one of the janitors is none other than the film’s exec producer, George Harrison. Back on Earth, David Byrne tends bar in Daniels’ neighborhood.

Sally Kirkland plays an art gallery owner with amorous intentions toward sculptor Rick Rossovich in Vestron’s “Paint It Black.” Nothing concrete comes of her advances in the psychological thriller . . . .The formation of a new mobster clan is the basis of “The Sixth Family,” which goes before the cameras in June on NYC and Toronto locales. Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Grey star in the Paul Gurian production, which marks the directing debut of Peter Israelson. . . . Ed O’Neill and Katey Sagal of Fox Broadcasting’s “Married . . . With Children” part company for him to play cop and chase Corbin Bernsen in Touchstone’s “Waiting for Salazar.” Meanwhile, Sagal will be Diane Keaton’s best friend in “The Good Mother,” directed by Leonard Nimoy. . . . David Rasche, on a long hiatus since ABC canceled “Sledge Hammer!,” winds up married to Colleen Camp in Larry Cohen’s “Evil Stepmother.” Just cast as daughter of title character Bette Davis is Barbara Carrera.

From out of left field: Writer-director B.W.L. Norton is preparing a mid-May start on “Hardball,” an action-comedy with a baseball angle for Vista and New World. Its hero, a former big league pitcher turned bounty hunter, beans bad guys with his formidable pitches. Herb Jaffe and Mort Engleberg produce, but there’s still no casting for the lead. The main character’s rival, named Pedro Gomez, will be played by Cheech Marin. . . . Perfect casting: Klaus Maria Brandauer to play “Beethoven” for Italian director Florestano Vancini.