Richard Gere plays a ruthless New York...

Richard Gere plays a ruthless New York collector, whose L.A. purchases include streetwalker Julia Roberts in Touchstone’s “3000,” filming locally in July. Garry Marshall directs the John Lawton--Stephen Metcalfe script, a contemporary, dark Pygmalion tale. Steve Reuther and Arnan Milchan produce. . . .

Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, D. B. Sweeney, Billy Zane and Harry Connick Jr. wing off next month to enlist in Warner Bros./Engima’s “Memphis Belle.” Monte Merrick’s script, inspired by the World War II documentary, focuses on an American bomber crew and the media campaign created around its 25th mission. John Lithgow portrays the publicity wizard behind it, in the David Puttnam--Catherine Wyler production, directed by Michael Caton-Jones on English locations. . . . Meanwhile, Lisa Zane, crew member Billy’s wife, will play the woman torn between Rob Lowe and James Spader in TransWorld’s “Bad Influence.” Curtis Hanson directs for producer Steve Tisch. . . .

In September, Bob Goldthwait stars and directs MCEG’s “Shakes the Clown.” The comic yarn, written by Goldthwait, finds the title character out of work, hitting the bottle and framed for murder--no laughing matter. Jonathan Krane produces. . . .

Jason Patric is the latest addition to the Fox/Mount Co.’s “Frankenstein Unbound,” filming in Italy this month. Patric portrays Lord Byron to Bridget Fonda’s Mary Shelley. Roger Corman directs and co-wrote the story (with F. X. Feeney and Brian Aldis) in which we discover that Dr. Frankenstein, portrayed by Raul Julia, actually existed. . . . Kevin Bacon gets married to Chloe Webb next month in New Vision’s “Queen’s Logic.” The event brings together former friends and a series of life dilemmas. The final additions to the ensemble cast--headed by Joe Mantegna and John Malkovich--are Michael Zelniker, Helen Hunt and Ed Marinaro. Steve Rash directs the Tony Spiridakis screenplay. . . . Directors John Frankenheimer, Ridley Scott and Hugh Hudson are all behind the cameras next month making high profile commercials. Frankenheimer, on Paris locations, extoles the virtues of AT&T;, Scott plugs for Nissan, and Hudson will be pumping for British Petroleum. . . .

Adrian Pasdar and Diane Lane play young doctors in Fox’s “Vital Signs.” Marisa Silver directs the Larry Ketron-Jeb Stuart screenplay. . . . The Fat Boys venture to New Orleans this fall for Tin Pan Apple’s “Fat Tuesday.” Eddie Gorodetsky’s script has them getting an evil hex because of their act in a Big Easy club. Charlie Stettler produces. . . .