Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe GAME SHOW INFLATION? According to a report in Daily Variety, the WB TV network is planning a game show that could make a lucky contestant a billionaire. Advertisement The producer who brought "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" to ABC is said to be working on a two-hour live special -- to air on the WB in September -- that would feature contestants who had the blind luck to purchase one of a few specially marked Pepsi products. Once they're on the show, the contestants would face off in games of "chicken" and tests of nerve, although Variety said details of the competition are still being worked out. The paper said that Michael Davies -- who developed "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" for U.S. television -- is close to sealing a deal with the network and Pepsi, which would promote the contest all summer long. And although there is no guarantee that any of the contestants will actually win $1 billion, Pepsi reportedly plans to take out insurance to cover the expense -- just in case someone manages to turn the trick. Advertisement SOUND EDITORS ANNOUNCE GOLDEN REEL NOMINEES "Gangs of New York" and "Road to Perdition" had three nominations each as Hollywood sound editors announced nominees for the 50th annual Golden Reel Awards. The Motion Picture Sound Editors nominated both Martin Scorsese's 19th century gang war epic and Tom Hanks' story of a Depression-era hitman for best sound effects/foley editing, dialogue/ADR editing and music editing in domestic features. Four films -- "The Bourne Identity," "Catch Me if You Can," "Minority Report" and "Spider-Man" -- had two nominations each. The Motion Picture Sound Editors will present the Golden Reel Awards on March 22 in Los Angeles. THE RAZZIE AWARDS WILL NOT BE TELEVISED There will be no live TV coverage when the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation hands out its 23rd annual Razzie Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., on March 22. Lots of filmmakers who have "won" Razzies -- designating their work to be among the worst of the year -- have laughed off the dishonor good-naturedly. But John Wilson, who created the Razzies in 1980, told United Press International the studios and TV networks are not amused by the less-than-flattering attention. He said it seemed for a while last year as though the Razzies ceremony might become a TV special, but things didn't work out. Advertisement "We had pitch meetings with several major cable networks," he said. "Every last one said, 'We can't afford to alienate advertisers.'" By advertisers, Wilson said, the TV executives were referring to movie studios and distributors, who are known to spend vast amounts of money on TV ads for movies. "I knew the movie industry was terrified by the Razzies," he said. "We found out last year the TV industry is also terrified." Besides that, Wilson suggested, even if they could get a network or cable channel to carry the awards show, televising the Razzies would pose a complication that stars don't need to deal with. It's one thing to show up at an intimate gathering and laugh at oneself, but doing it for a wide audience on TV is something else entirely. "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones," "Swept Away" and "Crossroads" tied with seven nominations each -- including worst picture of 2002 -- when nominees were announced Monday for the 23rd annual Golden Raspberry Awards. 'HOW TO LOSE A GUY' COMES UP A WINNER "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" finished at No. 1 in its opening weekend at the U.S. box office, with an estimated $24.1 million. Advertisement The Matthew McConaughey-Kate Hudson romantic comedy put up the third biggest numbers for a February opening in U.S. box-office history, finishing behind only "Hannibal" ($58 million, 2001) and "Scream 3" ($34.7 million, 2000). The new Jackie Chan-Owen Wilson action-comedy "Shanghai Knights" also opened strong, finishing at No. 2 with an estimated $19.8 million. The Golden Globe-winning musical "Chicago" -- which was expanded to 1,841 locations -- finished third with $10.7 million, and has now taken in $63.7 million in seven weeks of mostly limited release. "The Recruit" fell from first place to fourth, taking in $9.5 million in its second weekend, while "Final Destination 2" fell from second place to fifth with $8.7 million in its second weekend. ROD LURIE'S NEXT The Hollywood Reporter said Monday that Rod Lurie will direct Paul Walker in "Heart of a Soldier" -- a drama along the lines of "An Officer and a Gentleman." Lurie directed Robert Redford in "The Last Castle" (2001). He wrote and directed "The Contender" (2000), featuring Joan Allen in her Oscar-nominated performance as a U.S. senator coping with unfounded allegations of scandal. Advertisement Walker starred in "The Fast and the Furious" (2001) and appears this summer in the sequel, "2 Fast 2 Furious." "Heart of a Soldier" involves a cadet at the US. Military Academy who falls in love with a wealthy woman from Manhattan society.
