<i> Films now going into production: </i>

The Freshman (Tri-Star). Shooting in New York and Toronto. Marlon Brando returns in his first leading role since 1980’s “The Formula.” In this offbeat comedy, Matthew Broderick plays a college freshman who’s befriended by genial father figure (and organized crime leader) Brando and his eligible daughter. Producer Mike Lobell. Director/screenwriter Andrew Bergman.

Gremlins II (Amblin/Warner Bros.). Shooting in New York and L.A. Cutesy couple Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates return in this sequel to the 1984 smash. The two have relocated to the big city and run into ol’ buddy Gizmo but also encounter a horde of even more nefarious furballs than last time. Executive producers Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall. Producer Michael Finnell. Screenwriter Charlie Haas. Also stars John Glover, Robert Prosky, Robert Picardo, Christopher Lee and Haviland Morris. Distributor Warner Bros.

Joe Versus the Volcano (Amblin/Warner Bros.). Shooting in L.A., New York and Hawaii. Offbeat comedy romance with Tom Hanks as Joe Banks, a generally quiet man whose life is disrupted when he meets up with a millionaire industrialist and his daughter. “Moonstruck” scenarist John Patrick Shanley makes his directing debut. Executive producers Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall. Producer Teri Schwartz. Also stars Robert Stack, Barnard Hughes, Amanda Plummer and Abe Vigoda. Distributor Warner Bros.

Narrow Margin (Intl. Prod. Services). Shooting in Vancouver. Gene Hackman is an L.A. District Attorney who struggles to keep a murder witness (Anne Archer) and himself out of the hands of hit men while aboard a train. Executive producers Mario Kassar and Andrew Vajna. Producer Jonathan A. Zimbert. Director/screenwriter Peter Hyams. Distributor Tri-Star (U.S.), Carolco (foreign).