Ilya Salkind

Last year's box-office shipwreck, "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery," has set the father and son relationship between the movie's producers, Alexander and Ilya Salkind, adrift--possibly forever. The younger Ilya, 46, has sued Alexander, 72, his father and producing partner of 20 years, for breach of contract, fraud and racketeering over the $40-million picture that sunk at the box office. The $10-million suit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday.

Last year's box-office shipwreck, "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery," has set the father and son relationship between the movie's producers, Alexander and Ilya Salkind, adrift--possibly forever. The younger Ilya, 46, has sued Alexander, 72, his father and producing partner of 20 years, for breach of contract, fraud and racketeering over the $40-million picture that sunk at the box office. The $10-million suit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday.

The "Superboy" syndicated television series began its second year of production today with a new actor, Gerard Christopher, to replace former Superboy John Hayes-Newton. Hayes-Newton, who played a college student who becomes the boy of steel to assist the downtrodden, like his father, Superman, had contractual and professional differences with executive producer Ilya Salkind and distributors Viacom Enterprises, officials said.

Producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind must have felt at times that Christopher Columbus had an easier time finding the New World than they had getting their movie, "Christopher Columbus--The Discovery," off the ground--make that, into the water. Many industry observers believed that the Salkinds' film, plagued with numerous problems from the beginning, including the defection of several directors, would never get made let alone released.

Christopher Columbus is popularly credited with discovering North America. But who discovered him? That question is at issue in a U.S. District Court suit filed Wednesday, pitting "Superman" movie producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind against director Ridley Scott. They claim that Scott, one of Hollywood's hottest filmmakers, stole their idea for a project based on Columbus' life after they considered hiring him as the film's director.

The return of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria apparently will not be stalled by bankruptcy proceedings. Producers of "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery," a film to be distributed later this year by Warner Bros., have averted a possible involuntary bankruptcy petition, sources said Tuesday.

Christopher Columbus has discovered Cannes. Half a millenium after bumbling onto the West Indies, the ancient mariner has landed on the shores of the French Riviera, as all adventuresome pop idols eventually must, for the Cannes Film Festival. Madonna, the first woman singer to explore herself on stage, was here all weekend. As usual with Chris, there is confusion.

Producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind must have felt at times that Christopher Columbus had an easier time finding the New World than they had getting their movie, "Christopher Columbus--The Discovery," off the ground--make that, into the water. Many industry observers believed that the Salkinds' film, plagued with numerous problems from the beginning, including the defection of several directors, would never get made let alone released.

A Grand Inquisitor: Marlon Brando has signed on for the role of Grand Inquisitor Tomas de Torquemada in the movie "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery," the Spanish newspaper El Pais said Tuesday. Producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind, best known for "Superman," are also negotiating with Matt Dillon (to replace Timothy Dalton as Columbus), Tom Selleck and Isabella Rosellini to appear in the $40-million movie, the newspaper reported. (Dalton backed out of the project last month.)

The return of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria apparently will not be stalled by bankruptcy proceedings. Producers of "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery," a film to be distributed later this year by Warner Bros., have averted a possible involuntary bankruptcy petition, sources said Tuesday.

Christopher Columbus has discovered Cannes. Half a millenium after bumbling onto the West Indies, the ancient mariner has landed on the shores of the French Riviera, as all adventuresome pop idols eventually must, for the Cannes Film Festival. Madonna, the first woman singer to explore herself on stage, was here all weekend. As usual with Chris, there is confusion.

Christopher Columbus is popularly credited with discovering North America. But who discovered him? That question is at issue in a U.S. District Court suit filed Wednesday, pitting "Superman" movie producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind against director Ridley Scott. They claim that Scott, one of Hollywood's hottest filmmakers, stole their idea for a project based on Columbus' life after they considered hiring him as the film's director.

The "Superboy" syndicated television series began its second year of production today with a new actor, Gerard Christopher, to replace former Superboy John Hayes-Newton. Hayes-Newton, who played a college student who becomes the boy of steel to assist the downtrodden, like his father, Superman, had contractual and professional differences with executive producer Ilya Salkind and distributors Viacom Enterprises, officials said.

Dalton Defects: Actor Timothy Dalton has jumped ship and will no longer play the title role in the Alexander and Ilya Salkind production of "Christopher Columbus: The Discovery," according to a spokesman for the producers. The spokesment would not comment on rumors from the Madrid production headquarters that Willem Dafoe will succeed Dalton. Dalton's departure is the third major one to hit the film.