MOVIES - July 27, 1992

Much Ado About Casting: When actor-director Kenneth Branagh tackles Shakespeare again with his upcoming film version of “Much Ado About Nothing,” he’ll be joined by a star-studded cast including Emma Thompson (his wife), Denzel Washington, Keanu Reeves and Michael Keaton. Branagh’s adaptation of the comedy begins production on Aug. 3 in Italy and will be distributed by the Samuel Goldwyn Co. Branagh, who directed and starred in “Henry V” and “Dead Again,” will star as Benedick; Thompson (“Howards End” and “Dead Again”) will star as his lover Beatrice. Washington will play Don Pedro and Keaton will play Dogberry in the Shakespearean battle of the sexes.