No News is No News

Someone around the office remembered fondly . . . that just about two years ago, amid the sparkle of flashing cameras and TV lights, the announcement was made for Sylvester Stallone’s six-year, 10-pic pact with the newly restructured United Artists. They had once teamed for a tough and tender little picture called “Rocky.”

So what’s with that deal today?

“It’s a nothing pact,” declared UA chairman Lee Rich.

Come again?

“It’s still in existence and we’ll be getting some pictures one of these days, but . . . “

Rich pointed out that back when Sly inked the deal, he had several prior commitments--including “Cobra,” “Over the Top” and the epic “Rambo III.”

Said Rich: “I only pay him (Stallone) when I get the pictures. It’s not as if this is hurting our company. We don’t stand or fall on whether we get pictures from one source or two sources.”

But hey--isn’t Sly’s next up “The Executioner” going to kick off the UA deal? (The deal calls for Sly to star in five pictures, and write/direct/produce the others.)

Rich was diplomatic: “You’re right. And we’re looking forward to the picture and after we get it, we’ll go from there.”

Robin Garb, president of White Eagle Enterprises--Sly’s company--said that a new screenplay draft for “The Executioner” has just gotten underway.

Based on the paperback series (more than 100 titles) by Don Pendleton, about a tough guy with a vendetta, the pic probably will begin shooting “about three months down the line.”

Joel Silver’s set to produce. And William Friedkin will direct. The original script’s by Hilary Henkin, although Sly usually helps out with the writing.