Hey, Dude!

Just three months into 1989, Orion’s “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” ranks as the sleeper of the year. Shot in 1987 for $8.5 million, headed directly for video a year ago, the teen time travel comedy has passed the $20-million box-office mark in only three weeks of release. A sequel is in the works, plus two possible TV series--a Saturday morning animated show and a prime time sitcom.

Written by Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson, directed by Steve Herek, “B&T;” stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter as two goofy teens mixing it up with history.

Peter Graves, senior v.p. with Nelson Entertainment, which bought the pic from financially troubled DeLaurentiis Entertainment Group, said that licensing and cross-promotion is just beginning, with the sound track and two videos just out.

“We have literally hundreds of licensing offers to wade through,” Nelson said. “You can expect to see Bill and Ted on everything from lunch pails to T-shirts.”