Reel News
‘Mole’ digs in
on Big IslandThe ABC-TV reality show "The Mole" starts filming on the Big Island later this month for about six weeks. Sources say actor Steven Baldwin, Victoria's Secret model Frederique and comic Kathy Griffin will take part in the game, which follows 14 players as they try to figure out who among them is the Mole. By working as a team to complete a series of physical and mental games, the players earn money for the pot, up to $1 million, which one winner will take home. The Hawaii shows reportedly will air either in mid-winter or early spring. The rules will be shuffled a bit to ensure each celebrity has a chance to win some money for his or her favorite charity. The cast will be staying at the Orchid at Mauna Lani. ...
Speaking of ABC, officials there say the Hawaii-based detective drama from writer Greg Poirier ("Rosewood" and the upcoming King Kamehameha film) is on track. The show, to be produced by Touchstone Television, is about undercover detectives who are into the surfing and clubs when they're not crimebusting. ...
Whatever happened to the film "Fertig," which scouted Hawaii locations a couple years ago? Well, it's back on track. A team of production execs was spotted at Kualoa Ranch recently. David Fincher ("Panic Room") will direct the World War II epic whose title has been changed to "They Fought Alone." Brad Pitt may star. The film could go into production this fall with an expected U.S. release of November 2003. ...
"Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle," the sequel reuniting Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu (and adding Demi Moore), will be on Oahu for two weeks of second-unit photography -- that means without stars -- at the end of the month. ...
"The Big Bounce" auditions last weekend got a big turnout: 400 to 500 people at Haleiwa and 500 to 600 at Kapiolani Community College. The production will use as many as 1,000 extras and five locals for speaking parts. Filming begins Oct. 28. ...
The state's top film liaison position of Hawaii Film Office manager could be decided by the end of the month. Donne Dawson has held the temporary post since January 2001, when Georgette Deemer resigned. Applicants are down to five finalists, a committee member said. Interviews will be held Oct. 21 before 10 committee members.
Reel News unspools every Wednesday.
Contact Tim Ryan at tryan@starbulletin.com.