ABC News on Production Deal (10th september 1999)

Bullock Renews Production Deal (10th september 1999)

NEW YORK (Variety) - Sandra Bullock's Fortis Films has renewed its production deal at Warner Bros., and is ramping up two projects in which she will star.
In "Alison's Starting to Happen," an adaptation of the Gorman Berchard novel, Bullock would play a self-absorbed woman who dies in a car crash and is then given time to find meaning in her life if she's going to get to heaven.

WB has just paid a mid-six figure sum for "Babe Behind Bars," a comic pitch about a beautiful and ruthless Hollywood executive sent to prison after a car accident leaves her elderly victim in a coma.

Bullock, who recently wrapped the Betty Thomas-directed "28 Days" for Columbia, has increased producing activities at Fortis, which she runs with sister Gesine Bullock. Fortis has just completed its first feature in "Gunshy," the comedy starring Liam Neeson and Oliver Platt, with Bullock playing a small role. The film was just acquired for distribution by Disney, and the studio has set a Feb. 4 release date.

Fortis has also set two animated projects to aid WB's foray into the animation game. "Nicholas Cricket" is an animated adaptation of the William Joyce children's book. The title character is a cynical bandleader who conquers a broken heart and helps his ex-girlfriend and her army of resistance fighters battle evil wasps.

The other project, "Jingle," starts on Christmas Eve, when the world's most sarcastic elf is left behind at the home of the world's naughtiest little girl. The elf has a few months to get the girl to be good enough for Santa Claus to return and take the elf home.

It's likely that Fortis' first greenlit project at WB will be "Miss Congeniality," which is shaping up to be Bullock's next starring vehicle. Negotiations are under way for Bullock to produce and star as an FBI agent who goes undercover as a Miss America contestant. Bullock is also keen on the WB/Fortis romantic comedy "The List."