Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Oscar-winner Adrien Brody ("The Pianist") has already proven his immense gifts as an actor. Now he seems to be going for variety as the spice of his professional life. He tells us that this year he's been enjoying "exploring a number of different kinds of genres — broad comedy, sci-fi thriller, romantic comedy … They're all interesting and unique projects."

Under the broad comedy heading, "I just finished a film called 'High School,' which for me is really, really fun. I play the deranged marijuana dealer. I describe him as the Francis Ford Coppola of the weed game," says Brody — who is currently being seen as 1950s-'60s rock 'n' roll and R&B record label owner Leonard Chess in the musically irresistible "Cadillac Records."

Brody also has the big-screen "Splice" in the can for release next year. The Guillermo del Toro-produced sci-fi/horror movie has him as a scientist who creates a brand-new kind of being — she happens to turn out female … with wings — by splicing human and animal DNA.

"And 'The Brothers Bloom' is romantic," he says of that May '09 release. "I'm a reluctant con artist. My brother, played by Mark Ruffalo, and I, are a con artist duo. My character falls in love with the last victim, Rachel Weisz. It's an amazing film, and I think people will love it. It's beautifully done." Up-and-coming filmmaker "Rian(cq) Johnson wrote and directed it. He's such an original creative force, I think he'll have a long career," Brody adds.

As for what is next for Brody, who is in a serious relationship with gorgeous Spanish actress/model Elsa Pataky, "I have a little time off, and I'm going to enjoy it."

THE BIG SCREEN SCENE: Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have made "Titanic" fans ecstatic as they've teamed up once again, but some have been surprised that they chose the darker picture "Revolutionary Road." However, co-star Kathy Bates believes the story about an intense American marriage during the 1950s was the right choice for the stars.

"Given the work they've been doing over the last five or six years I think it makes total sense. They're at the peak of their power with this," she says of the film hitting N.Y.

and L.A. theaters Dec. 26, and then opening nationwide in January. "I think the director, Sam Mendes, has done an excellent job of painting such a beautiful screenplay. This is right up there with being one of my favorites."

We caught up with the legendary Bates, who looked fantastic in a black pantsuit, at the movie's rainy Los Angeles premiere. While many were talking of Kate and Leo's reunion, many overlooked the fact that Bates was also there when the ship sank and has seen them soaring high ever since. "Yes, I was there. They were great," notes Bates of working with the duo on "Titanic."

"They stayed close friends for the last decade, and they've been working really hard to find just the right project to do together, and I think they found a beautiful one. Kate and Leo are knockouts in this film."

THE INSIDE TRACK: Def Jam recording artist Sterling Simms is getting ready to launch a promo tour for his promising "Yours, Mine & The Truth" debut solo album. "I'm doing an unplugged tour, and I'll be in a city near you," he lets us know. "Check the Def Jam site and my MySpace [page] for the dates."

"Yours, Mine & the Truth" is an autobiographical collection of songs of which the Philadelphia-born artist says, "I poured my life into it. I wanted to really have a theme to the project, and I didn't want it to sound the same top to bottom" — hence his collaborations with different producers, for sounds that range from Philly soul to Atlanta R&B. The record follows the path of a relationship from infatuation to breakup. "Anyone who has been in a relationship can relate to it — the ups, downs, good and bad," he feels. And yes, there is a lady who inspired it all.

"I think she'll catch on to it if she listens to the album," Simms surmises. "We're good friends now. It's not a problem." He laughs. "She helped me create a masterpiece."

ANOTHER ROUTE: Hard to imagine Theresa Russell in an edgy romantic comedy, but that's apparently the plan with "Detour," which we're told is set for an early spring production start in Boston. It's about a couple whose relationship is strained after she leans that he's been sexually involved with men in the past, and begins to obsess about his relationships with men currently in his life.

With reports by Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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