May 19, 1998
The Hollywood Reporter
Fine Lines plays with 'Ripley's'
By Stephen Galloway and Cathy Dunkley

CANNES -- Fine Line Features has optioned the rights to the penultimate installment of British writer Patricia Highsmith's best-selling series "Ripley's Game," which it intends to fast track into production this fall.

Rupert Everett ("My Best Friend's Wedding") is in talks to play the lead role in the $10 million-$12 million feature, which will be directed by award-winning TV director Tim Fywell ("Norma Jean and Marilyn"), who makes his feature debut.

Producer Ileen Maisel and her Baby Prods. brought the project to Fine Line International executive vp Camela Galano. Mike Newell and Alan Greenspan will executive produce. Fine Line senior vp business affairs Sara Frith brokered the deal with ICM's Duncan Heath and Baby's Lyndsey Posner.

"Game" is a thriller about an American living in France who befriends a fatally ill neighbor and ultimately offers him a deal in return for financial security of his family after his death.

Highsmith's last Ripley installment, "The Talented Mr. Ripley," will be Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella's next film. Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law will star and Sydney Pollack will produce.

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