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Reel News

Tim Ryan


Film execs bounce
back to scout sites


Execs from Shangri-La Entertainment's "The Big Bounce," including its production designer, are back on Oahu this week for their second location scouting in a month, making it appear more promising that the movie will be made in Hawaii.

The film is an adaptation of an Elmore Leonard book set at a lakeside resort. But frequent North Shore visitor and the film's director, George Armitage, is so taken by Oahu's look that he's confident he can rewrite the script for an ocean setting, sources said.

The big "if?" Money, of course. The production needs the investment credits from the state's Act 221 before it commits and is awaiting a ruling on its Act 221 application. Shangri-La also is looking at Florida and Texas.

The 10-week filming would begin in late October or early November. The production company will decide by Oct. 1. Owen Wilson ("The Royal Tenenbaums") has signed on as the lead.

The "Baywatch Reunion" movie of the week, a Fox TV production, has set up shop at the Turtle Bay Resort. Returning "Baywatch" regulars include Pamela Anderson and Yasmine Bleeth -- both of whom will only film here a few days -- David Hasselhoff, Alexandra Paul, Donna D'Errico, Carmen Electra, Nicole Eggert, Michael Bergin, Jeremy Jackson, Gena Lee Nolin, Billy Warlock, John Allan Nelson, Angelica Bridges, Kelly Packard, Jason Momoa and Stacy Kamano. Filming is set to begin Sept. 9 and continue for 14 days.

Hawaii is competing with Vancouver, B.C., as location for Chuck and Aaron Norris' new television series. Chuck has an exclusive agreement to star in and develop a new weekly series with Tribune Entertainment for Fall 2003. He is working with producer/director Aaron and Norris Brothers Entertainment.

Aaron, vacationing on Maui, said Hawaii is the brothers' first choice, but they also need Act 221 investment credits and are awaiting a decision.

Vancouver offers major financial incentives for film productions and the dollar is worth 50 cents more in the city. The weekly series will feature action and a "crime doesn't pay" message with an ensemble cast, Aaron said.




Reel News unspools every Wednesday.
Contact Tim Ryan at tryan@starbulletin.com.



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