Laura San Giacomo (“sex, lies, and videotape”)...

Laura San Giacomo (“sex, lies, and videotape”) will be creating romantic sparks opposite Tom Cruise in Paramount’s tentatively titled “Daytona,” to shoot in November. The actress will play an ophthalmologist who initially encounters racer Cruise professionally. Tony Scott directs for producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. . . . But first things first: San Giacomo plays opposite Tom Selleck in Pathe’s “Quigley Down Under,” to film later this month in Australia. John Hill wrote the period Western centering on aboriginal rights, directed by Simon Wincer. . . .

The “Rocky” legend comes full circle when episode “V” goes before the cameras in November. Sylvester Stallone’s script has the battered boxer on the ropes, coaching a young ring hopeful. Sly reunites the original creative team for the proposed finale, with John Avildsen directing and Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler producing. . . .

Anthony Hopkins plays imprisoned serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lektor in Orion’s “Silence of the Lambs,” adapted by Thomas Harris from his best seller. Jodie Foster stars as an FBI agent investigating a series of grisly murders in which the doctor holds a valuable clue. Jonathan Demme produces and directs in November. . . .

“L.A. Law’s” Jimmy Smits stars opposite Greta Scacchi in Pathe’s “Little Havana,” filming next month in Miami. Cynthia Cidre wrote the intercultural romance, produced by Wallis Nicita and Lauren Lloyd. Gillian Armstrong directs. . . .

Kelly McGillis will play a male chauvinist who’s reincarnated as a woman and finds the gender-change enlightening, in Morgan Creek’s “Switch.” Blake Edwards writes and directs the off-beat comedy. Tony Adams produces. . . .

Add Alan Alda’s name to the Disney roster, where he’s written and will direct and star in Touchstone’s “Betsy’s Wedding.” Set to film in North Carolina next month, the story casts him as the father of the bride whose problematic construction business threatens to come down on his daughter’s wedding. Martin Bregman and Louis Stroller produce. . . .

Oscar-winning short film director Bryan Gordon makes his big-screen debut in November with Universal’s “Career Opportunities” for Hughes Entertainment. John Hughes’ script revolves around a teen-ager who’s the night manager at a K mart. It’s set during the young man’s long first day on the job. . . .

Fred Ward is author Henry Miller in Universal’s “Henry and June,” filming in Paris in November. Ward comes to the role following the departure of Alec Baldwin. Uma Thurman co-stars as his wife. Philip Kaufman directs. . . .

Casting around: Nancy Travis is a woman working with Asian refugees during the Vietnam war, who becomes Robert Downey Jr’s. romantic interest, and Burt Kwouk--Kato of the “Pink Panther” films--is a drug lord, in Carolco/Tri-Star’s “Air America.” Roger Spottiswoode directs; Mel Gibson stars. . . . Nicole Eggert of “Charles in Charge” plays the title role in Concorde’s “The Haunting of Maurella.” Jim Wynorski directs the tale of a woman burned at the stake whose spirit seeks revenge through her daughter. . . .