Betty Thomas takes on 'Dallas'

Travolta to still play J.R. Ewing in comedy

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Thomas

Regency and 20th Century Fox are overhauling the bigscreen adaptation of TV series "Dallas," about the oil-rich Ewing clan, and this time they're drilling for laughs.

Betty Thomas, the director who mined two spoof movie hits from "The Brady Bunch," is in discussions to direct. Pam Brady, who most recently scripted "Hot Rod," is penning the script.

John Travolta remains attached to play slimy oil tycoon J.R. Ewing.

When the movie was derailed late last year, Gurinder Chadha ("Bend It Like Beckham") was directing. Luke Wilson was attached to play Bobby Ewing with Shirley MacLaine to play Miss Ellie, while producers were talking with Meg Ryan to play Sue Ellen after Jennifer Lopez dropped out.

The budget for the comic "Dallas" should be lower than the projected $65 million for the straight-faced version.

There is also hope that a comedy about the dysfunctional Ewings will appeal to a younger audience, which has become a Regency priority. Studio is eyeing a January start date.

Well, if true, I now know I can save my $8, because you would have to put a gun to my head for me to spend money to see this monstrocity adaption of one of the greatest shows in television history made into some slapstick comedy just to appeal to younger audiences.

There are some people who need to stop smoking the weed.

There's no way this won't turn out to be one humongous disaster, so they just need to scrap this movie (use that term loosely) ASAP.

Meg ryan to play sue ellen? I could see her playing afton though.

This will likely be one of the worst movies of the year that it's released. I think a remake of DALLAS should be a drama in either motion picture or tv form. A comedy take on DALLAS is a slap in the face to the legendary series.

Dumb. Asses.

Leave good TV shows alone. Nobody's clamoring for "remakes" that are nothing like the show.