IFO assistant director Bob Hudgins is “cautiously optimistic” about the possibility of three Hollywood features spending all or some time this winter.
While “The Weather Man” has not been officially greenlighted by Sony Pictures and Escape Artists, is proceeding along as if it were. Several departments have settled in and an office is pending. Nicolas Cage is set to star in the screenplay by Lakeview resident Steven Conrad and directed by hot, hot Gore Verbinski (“Pirates of the Caribbean”). Budget is $22 million.
Two features are in the “excellent possibility” column. “Oceans 12,” a sequel to “Oceans 11” to be directed by Steven Soderbergh, has been heavily checking out small towns in which Julia Roberts runs a flower shop. The list narrows down to Mendota, Peotone, Woodstock, Geneva and Lockport.
If one of the Illinois towns is selected, “they’ll be there for 10 days as one of their locations along with Paris, Amsterdam and Rome,” said Hudgins.
Chicago also might be on the schedule for a portion of director Joe Roth’s (“Revolutions”) “Skipping Christmas.” Roth’s Chicago connection dates back to when he worked for John Hughes back in Hughes’ Chicago production heydays.
