Films going into production:Billy Bathgate (Touchstone)....

Films going into production:

Billy Bathgate (Touchstone). Shooting in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., New York City and North Carolina. Dustin Hoffman as Dutch Schultz as directed by Robert Benton as inspired by the 1989 E.L. Doctorow best-seller. Loren Dean stars as Bathgate, a kid who learns life’s ropes during the Depression in Schultz’s notorious underworld gang. Producers Arlene Donovan and Robert Colesberry. Screenwriter Tom Stoppard. Distributor Buena Vista. Summer release.

Dead Again (Paramount). Shooting in L.A. Kenneth Branagh has parlayed his “Henry V” acclaim into this big-studio American gig. Branagh directs and plays a private-eye type who takes on the task of ascertaining the identity of a mysterious woman and is drawn into a legendary L.A. slaying. Executive producer Sydney Pollack. Producers Lindsay Doran and Charles H. Maguire. Screenwriter Scott Frank. Also stars Hanna Schygulla, Wayne Knight, Richard Easton and Campbell Scott.

Hard Promises (Stone Group/Horse Films). Shooting in Austin. Romantic comedy, starring Sissy Spacek and William Petersen, of a charming rogue who endeavors to win back his ex on the eve of her wedding. Executive producers Michael Douglas, Rick Bieber and Peter McAlevey. Producer Cindy Chvatal. Director Lee Grant. Screenwriter Jule Selbo. Also stars Brian Kerwin. Distributors Columbia (U.S.), Vision Intl. (foreign).

Radio Flyer (Stonebridge Ent.). Shooting in Marin Co. and L.A. Richard Donner takes over direction from screenwriter David Mickey Evens after a production hiatus. Rhea Perlman and Adam Baldwin have been cast thus far in this poignant tale of two youngsters who incorporate fantasy into their lives to offset the pain inflicted by an abusive stepfather known as “The King.” Producer Lauren Shuler-Donner. Also stars “Avalon’s” Elijah Wood and Joey Mazzello as the youngsters. Distributor Columbia.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II (Golden Harvest Films). Shooting in North Carolina and New York. The new adventures involve our hardbacked heroes battling “The Foot,” NYC’s notorious teen gang, as well as keeping the magical “ooze” (which gave them super powers) out of nefarious hands. Executive producer Raymond Chow. Producers David Chan, Kim Dawson and Terry Morse. Director Michael Pressman. Screenwriter Todd W. Langen. Stars Paige Turco, David Warner and Kevin Clash. Distributors New Line (U.S.), 20th Century Fox (foreign).