MOVIES - April 17, 1992

Dueling Columbi: Now there will be two Christopher Columbus feature films in American theaters this year to capitalize on the 500th anniversary of the explorer’s landing in the West Indies. Warner Bros. announced Thursday that it will distribute “Christopher Columbus: The Discovery” this summer. The film, which had been rumored for a possible TV showing, features Marlon Brando, Tom Selleck, Rachel Ward and George Corraface as Columbus, and was produced by Alexander and Ilya Salkind. The second film is Paramount Pictures’ release of “1492,” starring Gerard Depardieu and Fernando Ray, due out on Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 9. A Paramount spokesman said Warners’ announcement would not affect release plans for “1492.”