Higher-Profile Role for Ace Picture Picker

Some of the major films on Amy Pascal's upcoming Columbia Pictures slate:

"Big Fish"

Drama directed by Tim Burton. About an ailing man, played by Albert Finney, whose tall tales about his oversize life as a young man, played by Ewan McGregor, charm almost everyone except for his estranged son, played by Billy Crudup.

Release date: Dec. 10.

Approximate cost: $85 million.

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"Something's Gotta Give" (co-financed by Warner Bros.)

Romantic comedy written and directed by Nancy Meyers. About a perennial playboy, played by Jack Nicholson, who likes younger women but suddenly finds himself falling for an age-appropriate, successful, divorced New York playwright, played by Diane Keaton, after having spent the weekend with her daughter, played by Amanda Peet.

Release date: Dec. 12.

Approximate cost: $90 million.

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"50 First Dates"

Romantic comedy directed by Peter Segal. About a love-'em-and-leave-'em ladies' man, played by Adam Sandler, who falls for the seemingly perfect woman, played by Drew Barrymore, who has to be reminded who he is every time they meet because she suffers from short-term memory loss.

Release date: Feb. 13.

Approximate cost: $73 million.

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"Spider-Man 2"

Comic book adventure directed by Sam Raimi. Follows the adventures of Marvel Comics' Spider-Man, played by Tobey Maguire, as he confronts the maniacal, multi-tentacled Doc Ock, played by Alfred Molina.

Release date: July 2.

Approximate cost: $210 million.

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"Spanglish"

Cross-cultural comedy-drama written and directed by James L. Brooks. About a beautiful young Mexican immigrant, played by Paz Vega, who never fathomed the perils of being embraced by an affluent Bel-Air family, played by Adam Sandler and Tea Leoni, for whom she goes to work.

Release date: Fourth quarter 2004.

Approximate cost: $72 million.

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"Bewitched"

Romantic comedy written and directed by Nora Ephron. Based on the TV sitcom about a contemporary witch, to be played by Nicole Kidman, and her husband, to be played by Will Ferrell.

Release date: Fourth quarter 2004.

Approximate cost: $100 million.

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Sources: Times research, Columbia Pictures