Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

David Fincher's March 2-opening "Zodiac" made for an intense journey from book to screen, reports Phoenix Pictures senior vice president of production, Brad Fischer.

The feature, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Edwards, is based on Robert Graysmith's books about San Francisco's Zodiac Killer of the late '60s and early '70s. Screenwriter James Vanderbilt put in months of research for his script. And then, when Fincher came aboard the film, "He said, 'What I'd like to do is go out and talk to all these people who are still alive — the cops, the journalists — and figure out the chronology of events.' We did about a year of research with Fincher because of his desire for authenticity," Fischer says.

"We visited all the murder sites, met with everyone involved, including Robert Graysmith. It was a long and arduous process, and a fascinating process," he adds. Phoenix' head honcho, Mike Medavoy, "loved the project and totally supported us."

By the time the script had been pulled apart and put back together again, it had gone from 150 pages to 200, Fischer says. On the strength of the material and Fincher's imprimatur, "We got our first choices for the cast across the board." There were a lengthy 112 days of principle photography, most of which included Gyllenhaal.

MEANWHILE: "Zodiac" is one of four pictures Phoenix is bringing out by fall — also including the April release epic "Pathfinder," the summer Robin Williams comedy "License to Wed," and "Resurrecting the Champ," in which Samuel L. Jackson exercises his acting chops as a destitute former boxing great discovered living on the streets by sports reporter Josh Hartnett.

When the latter was unveiled at last month's Sundance Film Festival, "The audience stayed and applauded," notes Medavoy of the film now targeted for a late summer or early fall release. "They're two great actors doing great work."

Ahead for the film firm is "The Sound Man," which "is kind of a cross between 'The Conversation' and 'Day of the Jackal,'" reveals the esteemed moviemaker, who's been involved in some 308 features so far. He lets us know Wesley Strick will direct that thriller, and that "we're talking to a bunch of actors about it now."

Phoenix has a slew of other projects on the way as well, including a road thriller with Oscar-nominated "Pan's Labyrinth" filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro — "Riding Shotgun" — possibly going into production as soon as summer.

And "Kid Mayor," based on a script by Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau, about a teen who finds himself running a city. And "Mile Zero," a supernatural story that has to do with the Alaska Pipeline.

POWERS OF SEDUCTION: Jane Seymour is getting a kick out of the fact that since she appeared as lascivious Mrs. Cleary in the big screen "Wedding Crashers," offers to play "a lot of predatory middle-aged women are coming my way." Those naughty ladies include Donna Ventress, who'll be unleashed on ABC's "In Case of Emergency" tonight (2/14). "She's completely different from 'Wedding Crashers.' They decided she is stuck in the '60s, with teased hair and a Pucci headscarf, blue eye shadow and huge eyelashes," notes the actress, who falls in lust with Jonathan Silverman's character, to the dismay of son David Arquette, on the show.

"I love doing comedy. It's a whole new career for me," she adds.

In fact, the former "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" star has the big-screen comedy "Blind Dating" coming out in early April, opposite younger man Chris Pine.

AS LONG AS IT'S A NICE SHOWCASE: ABC's "Knights of Prosperity" apparently does have its famous fans — despite reports that the show about a motley crew of thieves intent on robbing Mick Jagger and other stars is pretty much on its way out. Regular Kevin Michael Richardson tells this column there've been calls from a number of "celebrities who said they want to be one of the targets if we do the complete season." And so much for the notion that celebrities wouldn't want to be earmarked for robbery. Guests who've already shot the show include Kelly Ripa, Regis Philbin, Ray Romano, Danny Trejo and Sally Jesse Raphael. Richardson, who plays security guard Rockefeller Butts on "Prosperity," hasn't met Jagger, who gets an executive producer credit in addition to lending his famous face to the show. Explains Richardson, "Most of his stuff was shot in New Zealand, and they made him look like he's in the city through the magic of television."

(With reports by Stephanie DuBois and 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 2007 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.