COMPANY TOWN

Films: Bondholders are stepping up the pressure on financially ailing Carolco Pictures, producer of such big pictures as “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” and “Basic Instinct.” Sources say bondholders have hired Chanin & Co., a Beverly Hills investment banking firm specializing in distressed companies, and the bankruptcy law firm of Wynne Spiegel Itkin to try to work out a way to get some of their money back. Investors, who hold some $65 million in bonds, want to work out a way to recover some of their money and are looking at the possibility of pressuring a sale of Carolco’s film library, sequel rights to films such as “Basic Instinct” and “Total Recall’ and its interest of the upcoming “Cutthroat Island.” A $3.3-million payment is due bondholders on Oct. 15.