The Producers heads to big screen with Lane and Broderick

Variety reports that Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick are set to reprise their roles from the Broadway smash The Producers in a forthcoming film version from Universal Pictures. Both actors have made what the trade paper calls "mid-seven-figure deals" for the movie, which is set to start shooting in early 2005 for a late 2005 release. Bringing the musical to the big screen completes a full circle, since the stage play was based on Mel Brooks's 1968 movie, which starred Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. The new film will keep the Broadway show's key brain trust: Brooks will produce and write the script with Thomas Meehan, and Susan Stroman is set to direct.