DISH - MICHAEL FLEMING
CASTING CONVERGENCES?: Now that Disney has proven there is box office life on the Red Planet with MISSION TO MARS, comes word that a neat cast is in the offing for another expedition, JOHN CARPENTER'S GHOSTS OF MARS, a pic orbiting Screen Gems. Dish hears Courtney Love looks likely for the role of a butt-kicking leader of an expedition to Mars, Whoopi Goldberg is a possible as a science officer. They go to the planet planning to hunt down a guy alleged to have killed his fellow colonists in atrocities actually committed by an army of colonists possessed by a homicidal ghost of an ancient Mars civilization. The framed guy helps the team kick Martian tail. Dish hears Carpenter wants Jason Statham for the male lead. He starred in the Guy Ritchie-directed LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS, and just wrapped Ritchie's follow-up DIAMONDS with Brad Pitt. Screen Gems favored a better known lead, though other studios are kicking the tires...
