Jul 23, 2004 12:00 a.m. - Yahoo! News - Entertainment - Movies
Variety - GOOD MORNING: I visited an old friend making a final appearance before the cameras this week. The "old friend," at 4101 Wilshire Blvd., is Perino's restaurant where Ray Romano, Kevin James, Burt Reynolds, Juliette Lewis, Kim Coates, Barry Newman and Sofia Vergara are starring in New Line's action comedy "Grilled." They are all working for scale to bring in the film at $10 million. (Back-end deals are also involved, of course). It winds filming in the pink palace landmark Friday. The demolition crew then comes in to start work on a planned 67-unit apartment complex that will retain some of the eatery's museum-quality décor in its public rooms, promises Tom Carey whose company is the new owner-developer. P.S. He has a (two-day) role in the film as head chef. Perino's was the setting for many movie locations including 'Scarface,'' "Bugsy" and "Mulholland Falls," but over the years was the site for the crème de la crème of upper L.A. society -- and the Southland's underworld ... "Grilled" is directed by Jason Ensler making his feature bow. He boasts hefty TV credits including NBC's "Martha Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart." He never met her but believes, "I know in her heart of hearts she liked it. It was kind to her." New pic's a Jon Klane Production -- agent Klane has been shepherding the William Tepper script and story on a "heroic journey" for more than 10 years and he's joined by producers Brad Jenkel, Rory Rosegarten, Jeff Sussman and Andrew Sugerman ... The scene at Perino's is a Bar Mitzvah party and Burt Reynolds, the celebrant's father, is an arms dealer confronting meat salesmen James and Romano ... The start of James' series is delayed one week so he can wind the film and start the first of 24 segs -- and, he hopes, more seasons to come, he says. Romano will return to his series for a final 16 shows to wind in January. Reynolds winds on a Friday and Monday starts "The Longest Yard" remake in which he'll play a 14-year con who coaches the team. "And I get to play in the game and score a touchdown," he laughingly adds. It has been a busy year for Reynolds, who also wound "Nine," coaching a femme volleyball team and "Without A Paddle" in New Zealand. He's permanently back in L.A. and happily so, he says -- with Kate Edelman.
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