THURSDAY - FILM MAY GENERATE NEW CONTROVERSY OVER GAY MARRIAGE

Universal is planning to produce a movie that is likely to spark new debate over civil union legislation and domestic partner benefits. Daily Variety reported today (Thursday) that the studio is close to signing Adam Sandler and Kevin James to star in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, about two straight firefighters in Philadelphia who pose as a gay married couple in order to qualify for domestic partner benefits. The script has passed through the hands of numerous script doctors over the past four years, and rumors about casting plans for the film have circulated broadly over that period. At one time it was expected that Will Smith and James Gandolfini would star (then Smith and Nicolas Cage) making it somewhat ironic that James, who costarred with Smith in Hitch, has now apparently landed the starring role in Chuck and Larry.

09/02/2006