http://www.suntimes.com/output/movies/cst-ftr-lana20.html
Zeta-Jones will try to fill Turner's sweater in biopic

October 20, 2005

BY CINDY PEARLMAN

Catherine Zeta-Jones confirms to GLARE that she's definitely going
to play sultry screen legend Lana Turner in a big-screen biopic
called "Stompanato."

So we asked: Is Sharon Stone (who supposedly coveted the role for
years -- and is already blond) a little ticked off at her? Is Sharon
getting out her ice pick?

Zeta-Jones adopts a petulant voice. "Guess what?" she poses. "I
really really wanted to do 'Basic Instinct 2!' "

She'll have to settle for the sultry Turner, whose basic instinct
was to date a mob guy named Johnny Stompanato, who was then knifed
in the Turner home by her daughter -- at least, that's the official
story. Many still think Turner did the slice-and-dice work on her
lover.

Who will play Johnny? "Keanu Reeves is still on to do it," Zeta-
Jones says. "I think he'll be great."

Meanwhile, Zeta-Jones says she always wanted to play Turner. "It's
just a great, great role," she says, admitting she's also a bit
nervous about it. "I've got it in my head that the studio will turn
around halfway through filming and go, 'She doesn't look like her!' "

The film will be directed by Adrian Lyne ("Fatal
Attraction," "Unfaithful"). Zeta-Jones says the role of daughter
Cheryl hasn't been cast.

Zeta-Jones is not only watching all of Turner's old movies, she has
a secret weapon in the research department -- and he often sits
across from her for Sunday dinners at the Douglas pad.

"My father-in-law, Kirk Douglas, is going to be my research engine,"
she says. "He's my Google when it comes to Lana Turner." (Douglas
starred with Turner in the 1952 film "The Bad and the Beautiful.")

Zeta-Jones says they won't shy away from the rougher bedroom scenes
that reportedly were part of the Turner-Stompanato heat fest. "It
will make for some great screen moments," she purrs.

Meanwhile, Zeta-Jones locks lips with Antonio Banderas in "The
Legend of Zorro," due out Oct. 28.

Big Picture News Inc.