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Van Peebles
to direct ‘Tattoo’

Writer/director Mario Van Peebles -- his most recent film is "Baadasssss!" -- is on track to direct the 4.5-years-in-the-making independent film "The Tattoo," adapted from the 1999 book by Oahu writer and college instructor Chris McKinney. Hawaii-based producers are Angela Laprete and Laurie Foi (co-producer of "The Ride"), and In L.A., Wallis Nicita and Jeff Timon of LaLuna Films. Bob Gookin, a writer and supervising producer on "Baywatch Hawaii" and with other credits, and William "Chico" Powell, who obtained the film rights to McKinney's novelette from Mutual Publishing, are screenwriters. Van Peebles' involvement should attract major acting talent to the project. McKinney's novels "Queen of Tears" and "The Tattoo" were picked up for national distribution by Soho Press.

Touchstone executive Barry Jossen has been promoted to executive VP of production. The Kalani High grad will continue to oversee all physical production for Touchstone, including "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" ... Anna Fishburn is out as local casting director for "Lost," with veteran Margaret Doversola stepping into the position ... Veteran actor Don Stroud, raised and schooled in Honolulu, is hoping for a reoccurring part in "Lost" ...

Actor Jason Scott Lee stars in the Lanford Wilson play "Burn This," with a preview performance later this month at Lee's Ulua Theater in Volcano. Other cast members: Yasuko Takahara-Schlather, Mark L. Lewis and Ken Elliott. "Burn This" is directed by Lee and Justina Mattos ... Lee is off to Kazakhstan for the premiere of his latest film "Nomad" ...

"Whale Rider" star and Oscar nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes arrives in Honolulu July 19 from Auckland to attend a special screening of the film at Hawaii Theatre on July 22, coinciding with the broadcast premiere of the film July 24 on PBS. It's a collaborative screening between Pacific Islanders in Communication and Girl Scouts Council ...

Wannabe writers attending next month's Maui Writers Conference get a chance of a lifetime when producers from "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" tape the show's "Pitch to America" segments at the Wailea Marriott, Sept. 1 to 4 ...