Muhammad Ali Biopic : Michael Mann, (The Insider) has committed to helm Will Smith in Columbia Pictures' feature film biopic "Ali". The project, eight years in the works, could start shooting as soon as July for release in summer 2001. The movie will follow the boxer's early days as Cassius Clay and his rise not only in sports but in politics. Ali was stripped of his heavyweight title after refusing on religious grounds to fight in the Vietnam War. It wil also cover his comeback battles against Joe Frazier and George Foreman.

Harry Potter : According to Hollywood Reporter, following several months of speculation, Steven Spielberg has opted not to direct Harry Potter. The studio had given Spielberg a lengthy window of time to decide if he wanted to helm the project based on the best-selling children's book, and a decision was expected last week. A short list of potential directors for the project includes Robert Zemeckis, Chris Columbus and Brad Silberling.

 Update : February 23rd,2000

Planet Of The Apes : Tim Burton is in advanced talks with Fox studio, to direct the remake of Planet Of The Apes. Since 1993 a lot of big names including Oliver Stone, Chris Columbus, James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger have been attached to the project in one way or another. With a new script in hand from scribe Bill Broyles, Fox recently launched a secret search for a director.

Stallone&Universal : Universal Pictures had terminated the three-picture, $60 million deal with Sylvester Stallone.The studio and the actor agreed to the pact in August 1995. According to the deal studio was reported to have guaranteed Stallone $20 million per picture. But Universal now says the agreement was a first-look deal, with Stallone only receiving payment if Universal decided to make the movies.

 Update : February 22nd,2000

Berlin Film Festival : Denzel Washington took the Silver Bear award for best actor for his role in The Hurricane. Director Paul Thomas Anderson received festival's highest honor, the Golden Bear for Magnolia. The three-hour episodic film starring Tom Cruise and Julianne Moore had been tipped as a favorite for the top prize since first screening last Monday. This year's festival also welcomed big stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jamie Foxx.

102 Dalmatians : The teaser for the upcoming movie 102 Dalmatians is released. The film stars Glenn Close, Gerard Depardieu and Alice Evans. Depardieu will play Monsieur LePelt, who works in tandem with Cruella DeVille (newly let out of jail) in her dogged attempts to transform spotted canines into coats. Kevin Lima (Tarzan) will direct the movie.

"102 Dalmatians" Teaser Trailer (4.7 MB, MOV)

Update : February 21st,2000

Weekend Box Office : Two new comedies battle for the number one spot through the weekend and it seems that the Meg Ryan, Diane Keaton and Lisa Kudrow starrer Hanging Up, managed to beat Bruce Willis-Matthew Perry hitman comedy The Whole Nine Yards. Chevy Chase's family film remained in the third place while the sci-fi thriller Pitch Black made a strong opening with $11 million. After The Tigger movie and Scream 3 DiCaprio's Beach lost more than %50 of its viewers and took $7 million. After taking 8 Oscar nominations DreamWorks reissued American Beauty.

#	Title	This weekend	Last weekend	Theaters	Weeks	Total
1	Hanging Up	$ 15,000,000		2,618	1	$ 15,000,000
2	The Whole Nine Yards	15,000,000		2,910	1	15,000,000
3	Snow Day	11,400,000	14,331,819	2,702	2	28,059,000
4	Pitch Black	11,100,000		1,832	1	11,100,000
5	Scream 3	9,000,000	16,318,053	3,370	3	70,846,000
6	The Tigger Movie	8,300,000	9,427,532	2,755	2	20,095,000
7	The Beach	7,000,000	15,277,921	2,580	2	27,493,000
8	Boiler Room	6,800,000		1,335	1	6,800,000
9	American Beauty	5,300,000	64,292	1,287	23	80,100,000
10	The Green Mile	3,215,000	3,087,632	2,012	11	128,678,000

 Update : February 20th,2000

Any Given Sunday : Oliver Stone has cut 12 minutes from his football-themed drama Any Given Sunday for a European version, which pemiered yesterday the Berlin Film Festival. Stone mentioned that the new version, clocking in at 2 hours and 30 minutes, is "especially for European audiences not comprehending football, but not for that reason only; for all audiences." and added that "As we only had a six-month go at the editing under heavy pressure, that extra seventh month in January permitted me a little calm and objectivity as well as more interaction with audiences."

Oscar For Pepsi : For the first time in its history, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is allowing its strictly protected, trademarked Oscar statuette to be used in an Academy Award promotion: on large and extra-large Diet Pepsi plastic cups. The cups are part of Pepsi's Oscar promotions, which began last week and end when the Academy Awards air March 26 on ABC. Pepsi officials said Thursday that more than 1 million cups in jumbo sizes will be available at theater concessions.