Rob Lowe falls prey to a fast...

Rob Lowe falls prey to a fast crowd in Trans World’s “Bad Influence,” an April shoot in L.A. The Steve Tisch production finds Lowe unaware he’s involved with thieves and killers--until it’s too late. David Drury directs the David Koepp screenplay. . . . .

Donald Sutherland plays the shrewd prison warden matching wits with Sylvester Stallone’s escape-artist prisoner in Carolco’s “Maverick,” a late February start in New Jersey. Stallone immediately segues into Warner Bros’ “The Set-Up” for Guber-Peters. The latter casts him opposite Patrick Swayze as rivals obliged to join forces when they’re set up for a fall by the mob. Randy Feldman wrote the screenplay. . . . .

Actress Kirstie Alley has signed a deal with Tri-Star to co-write her first screenplay. The as yet untitled script centers on a young Kansas woman who finds the security of her life, job and relationship at risk. Alley’s original story is being called “somewhat” autobiographical. . . . .

Mary Beth Hurt plays a woman betrayed by best friend Barbara Hershey in G.F.N. Production’s “Defenseless,” filming locally in February for New Visions. Hershey, who’s romantically involved in the James Hick screenplay with Hurt’s husband, eventually gets charged with his murder. But will her friend step forward to help? Sam Shepard plays the philandering hubby with J.T. Walsh the investigating detective for director Martin Campbell and producer Renee Missell. . . . .

Patrick Dempsey and Arye Gross headline Universal’s “Coupe de Ville,” the story of three brothers (one still to be cast) who travel cross country to pick up the 1954 vintage title vehicle for their father. The trip home--circa 1962--provides for both misadventures and emotional bonding. Joe Roth directs the Michael Binder script for producer Larry Brezner. . . . .

John Vernon plays a crime czar who takes a powder to Canada in Cement Shooz’ “Mob Boss,” filming later this month in Winnipeg. However, the ruse backfires and he winds up in jeopardy from local hoods Al Waxman and Margot Kidder in the spoof produced, directed and co-written by Giancarlo and Gabriel Markiew. Tony Kramreither exec produces . . . .

Another movie with twins: “Welcome to Buzzsaw,” from Interscope/Universal, stars Val Kilmer as a man returning home for his mother’s wedding. But things go haywire because her husband-to-be--the mayor--has an identical twin who’s secretly arrived to mete vengeance for being the patsy for a town scandal. Todd Holland directs the black comedy, co-starring Julia Roberts, next month. It was written by Dan and Josh Goldin--identical twins.

Quick castings: Mandy Patinkin, playing and singing with Madonna, and Allen Garfield are the latest colorful additions to Warren Beatty’s “Dick Tracy.” . . . . Michael Moriarty plays a research scientist involved in illicit goods opposite Margot Kidder and David Mendenhall in Cannon’s “Secret of the Ice Caves,” filming next month in Chile. Mike Werb wrote the screenplay for director Radu Gabrea. . . . . Wendy Gazelle plays the female lead opposite Willem Dafoe in “Triumph of the Spirit,” a story of survival set in a Nazi concentration camp. Robert Young directs on location in Poland.