Boxoffice Preview -- Hurley, Leary Chasing "Dawg" for Gold Circle

November, 2000

NEW YORK -- Elizabeth Hurley and Denis Leary are in final negotiations to collar starring roles in the indie comedy "Dawg" for Gold Circle Films and director Victoria Hochberg ("Sex in the City," "Ally Mc Beal"). The film is slated to begin production Nov. 13 in Los Angeles.

Budgeted at $4 million - $7 million, the project centers on a ladies' man (Leary) who must apologize to the women he has betrayed to inherit $1 million from his grandmother. Hurley would play an attorney who accompanies him to supervise his mission.

"Dawg" was penned by newcomer Ken Hastings, who won the Final Draft International Screenplay Competition last year for the script. Gold Circle chief David Kronemyer will produce the project, which was brought to the company by head of development Larry Katz.

Hurley and Leary most recently teamed on the Gold Circle thriller "Double Whammy" for screenwriter-director Tom DiCillo (HR 5/19)

"We're delighted that Elizabeth Hurley and Denis Leary are teaming with us again in this project," Kronemyer said. "We all enjoyed working together on "Double Whammy."

Kronernyer said he bought aboard first-time feature helmer Hochberg to tap into the distinctive style she has created as a regular director on HBO's "Sex in the City."

Gold Circle Films is the motion picture arm of Gateway Computers founder Norm Waitt's Omaha, Nebraska based Gold Circle Entertainment. The division launched this year with the goal of producing as many as 10 titles annually, budgeted as high as $7 million each.

Gold Circle Entertainment operates 53 radio stations, five television studios and an outdoor ad business that includes 500 billboards. The company also runs the Samson Records label.

The company is in production on two films: first-time helmer Michell Gallagher's "Rat in the Can" starring Robert Forster, Kip Pardue, Rose McGowan and Harry Hamlin and George Hickenlooper's "The Man From Elysian Fields" (HR 10/25). Gold Circle recently wrapped the teen horror film "Wishcraft" directed by Richard Wenk.

Hurley and Leary are repped by United Talent Agency. Hurley is on screen in 20th Century Fox's "Bedazzled." Last week, she signed to star in Mandaly Pictures' "Servicing Sarah," slated to start shooting Dec. 27 in Los Angeles (HR 10/26). Leary's recent feature acting credits include "The Thomas Crown Affair" and "True Crime." Among his upcoming films is New Line Cinema's "Blow."