Battling Lambadas

It’s Golan vs. Globus as Columbia and Warner Bros. firmed plans last week to open separate lambada-themed films nationwide March 16. That’s some deadline, especially for Warner’s “Lambada--Set the Night on Fire,” which wrapped production only last Monday . Columbia’s “The Forbidden Dance” finished shooting “way back” on Feb. 17.

Produced by 21st Century Film Corp. and Cannon Films--the companies owned by ex-partners Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, respectively--the two movies were originally planned for April and May releases. But, says one source, “It’s become the lambada wars, and the most important thing is who can beat who.”

Globus, who’s partnered with Dino De Laurentiis in “Fire”--the Warners release--apparently beat Golan on title registration. Because of a Globus-De Laurentiis complaint filed with the MPAA, Columbia has dropped the word lambada from its title. But sources say an MPAA arbitration hearing over use of the word in Columbia’s ad copy is still on for Tuesday.

We’re told that Columbia’s “Forbidden” is expected to open in around 500 theaters, while Warners’ “Fire” ignites in over 1,000.

As for storyline distinctions: “Fire” is about a mild-mannered Beverly Hills high school teacher who moonlights as an East L.A. dance club lambada king by night. Idolized for his dance prowess, he inspires barrio kids to do their schoolwork--leading to an East L.A. vs. Bev Hills academic showdown.

“Forbidden” focuses on a Brazilian beauty fighting to save her village and the rain forest from developers. She gains media attention by jetting to L.A. and doing . . . the lambada!