Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger rekindle the...

Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger rekindle the erotic sparks of 1986’s “9 1/2 Weeks” when they reteam next January for a sequel to be filmed in Paris. Roman Polanski directs the continuation, which finds the former flames meeting by chance and discovering their physical attraction has not abated. Patricia Knop--who co-wrote the original--gets solo credit for the tentatively titled “Four Days in February,” for Carolco Prods . . .

Malcolm McDowell heads to Zimbabwe later this month for the title role in Amritraj Prods. “Schweitzer.” The Michel Potts-Patrick Lee script is set in the late ‘40s when Dr. Albert Schweitzer found his modern medical techniques at odds with African tribal superstition. Susan Strasberg co-stars as Schweitzer’s wife Helena, for director Gray Hofmyer and producer Ashok Amritraj . . .

Teen rock star Debbie Gibson stars as a young woman from the ‘burbs transplanted to the Bronx in Pendragon Pictures’ “Skirts,” filming in New York City in January for release by Columbia. The musical drama, set against the 1964 New York World’s Fair, was scripted by Hillary Carlip and Katie Ford, and marks the screen directing debut of choreographer Kenny Ortega. Lynda Obst and Paul Aaron produce . . .

Film icon Dirk Bogarde returns to the screen in Little Bear Prods.’ “Daddy Nostalgia” (“These Foolish Things”), filming next month in the South of France. Jane Birkin co-stars as Bogarde’s daughter, who attempts to effect a reconciliation with the ailing man. Bertrand Tavernier directs and produces the English-language production written by Colo O’Hagan. . . .

Rachel Ward eschews her glamorous image for the role of an alcoholic barfly who orchestrates the kidnaping of a millionaire’s son in Avenue Pictures’ “After Dark My Sweet,” filming next month in Arizona. Jason Patric plays her co-conspirator in Bob Redlin’s adaptation of the Jim Thompson novel. James Foley directs for producer Ric Kidney. . . .

New Line Pictures’ president Bob Shea steps behind the camera to make his directing debut with “Jack in the Box,” a coming-of-age saga set in the ‘50s. Scheduled to roll in Southern California in late October, the William Kotzwinkle script explores the trials and tribulations encountered by a high school freshman. Rachel Talalay produces for release by New Line. . . .

Casting around: Danny Aiello, Matt Craven and Tony-winner Jason Alexander (“Jerome Robbins’ Broadway”) join the cast of Carolco’s “Jacob’s Ladder.” Adrian Lyne directs Tim Robbins in the Vietnam-era drama of a man subjected to a bizarre battlefield experiment. . . . Ione Skye plays Liv Ullmann’s daughter in “Mindwalk,” an existential yarn centering on the women’s maturing relationship during a vacation on a remote French island. John Heard and Sam Waterston co-star for director Benrt Capra. . . . Charles Rocket portrays a cavalry lieutenant in Orion’s “Dances With Wolves.” Kevin Costner stars and directs the 19th-Century saga of an Indian-military encounter. . . . Jeroen Krabbe becomes the foe of Mark Harmon--a man in search of his missing brother--in Sovereign Pictures’ “Til There Was You,” filming in the New Hebrides Islands in early November. Deborah Unger is Harmon’s romantic interest. Written by Michael Thomas, the film marks the directorial debut of cinematographer John Seale and is produced by Tim Sanders. . . .

Maura Tierney plays a clothing designer and Tony-winner Jerry Orbach her anxiety-ridden boss in Sea Gate’s “Dead Women in Lingerie,” filming locally in late September. The thriller casts John Romo as a detective tracking the killer of illegal aliens working in the garment industry. June Lockhart and Lyle Waggoner co-star in Romo’s screenplay for producer-director Erica Fox.