Red Light, Green Light

It’s been three years and several false starts, but a spokeswoman for producer Dino De Laurentiis tells us that film maker Michael Cimino will be back to work early this fall directing the remake of “The Desperate Hours,” with Mickey Rourke reprising the Humphrey Bogart role from the 1955 film.

The tense suspense drama was based on the Joseph Hayes play about an escaped convict who holds a man and his family hostage. The latest adaptation, by writers Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal, reunites producer, star and director, who last teamed for “Year of the Dragon” (1984).

Cimino is currently scouting Dallas locations for the film, which is being produced by Pathe Communications for distribution by Warner Bros.--De Laurentiis’ first project since the demise of his financially beleaguered De Laurentiis Entertainment Group.

Since making the little-seen “The Sicilian” in 1986, Cimino has been attached to several stalled films, including the adaptation of Truman Capote’s “Hand-Carved Coffins”; “Michael Collins,” the director’s long-cherished project on the legendary Irish rebel; and “Santa Ana Wind,” a romantic thriller.

Despite Cimino’s checkered career, the spokeswoman said, “Dino has nothing but praise for Michael’s work. . . . He considers him a brilliant talent and plans to do several films with him.”

Come late fall, the busy Rourke (currently in Rio, filming the steamy “Wild Orchid”) has the title role of “El Cordobes” for Five Star Productions, scheduled to shoot in Spain. Rourke is preparing for the role of the flamboyant, legendary matador under the tutelage of veteran matador Manuel Benitez. Luis Valdez directs for producer-writer Simon Raphael Abehsera.