Rick Cleveland set to write first draft of "Diva" remake
Source:  Reuters

Smith, Houston Set to Remake 'Diva'
February 2, 2000 5:15 am EST

By Charles Lyons and Dave McNary

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Will Smith's production company has secured the remake rights to the  French thriller "Diva," with Whitney Houston attached to play the title character.

Originally shot in 1981 by Jean-Jacques Beineix, the film features a bizarre cast of characters including a young mail courier with a passion for opera, a dead hooker and a drug kingpin.

Smith had been pursuing the rights to the project for several years; once Diana Ross' option to the film lapsed a year and a half ago, the film's owner, Canal Plus Image, entered into talks with Smith. That deal closed early this week. Scribe Rick Cleveland is expected to turn in a first draft by May.

Smith's Universal-based Overbrook Entertainment will share production chores with Houston's Brownhouse Prods.