Travolta's ``Earth'' lands director

By Benedict Carver

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - John Travolta's pet project ``Battlefield Earth,'' a film based on the sci-fi novel by his spiritual guru L. Ron Hubbard, has moved closer to reality. Roger Christian has committed to direct Travolta in the story of a rebel hero who saves the earth from an oppressive race of 10-ft. tall aliens. Travolta, who has been fascinated by ``Battlefield Earth'' for some time, will play the leader of the extra-terrestrials, and will get his usual fee of about $20 million. The role of the hero is not yet cast. Hubbard is the founder of Scientology, of which Travolta is an enthusiastic follower. Christian, a protege of George Lucas, was part of a team that won an Oscar for best art direction on ``Star Wars.'' He went on to win an Oscar for best dramatic short, ``Dollar Bottom,'' in 1983. He recently directed second unit for Lucas' ``Star Wars: Episode One -- The Phantom Menace.'' His other feature directing credits include ``Nostradamus,'' Masterminds,'' ``The Sender'' and ``Underworld.'' The picture, which is budgeted north of $70 million, is set up at Franchise Entertainment, an independent film company traditionally associated with lower-budget projects. It had passed through several studios, including MGM and Fox, none of which were able to finance it for less than $100 million. Franchise has a domestic output deal with Morgan Creek, which, in turn, distributes through Warner Bros.

Reuters/Variety
01-15-99
Copyright 1999 Reuters Limited.