Elizabeth Hurley and Dennis Leary are to star in romantic comedy Dawg, their second film together for fledgling production company Gold Circle Films (GCF) following Double Whammy.

The project joins a rapidly expanding slate at GCF which was founded earlier this year by Gateway Computers co-founder Norm Waitt. The Los Angeles-based company, backed by a $100m commitment over two years, plans to deliver six to eight films per year with budgets ranging from $4m to $7m.

"It's been a busy nine months," said GCF president David Kronemyer. "We're set on building a diversified portfolio; we would rather own smaller films and I wouldn't hesitate to explore original Spanish-language material, given the right script and cast."

Dawg, about a commitment-challenged playboy and his day of reckoning, is to be directed by Victoria Hochberg, whose credits include TV shows Sex And The City and Ally McBeal. Ken Hastings' script recently won the Final Draft Screenplay Competition, an award given out by software company, Final Draft Inc. Principal photography starts in Los Angeles on November 13.

Double Whammy, a thriller directed by Tom DiCillo, shot over the summer in New York. Myriad Pictures has international rights.

Other films on GCF's production slate include:

  • Rat In The Can, a drama written and directed by newcomer Michell Gallagher and starring Robert Forster, Kip Pardue and Rose McGowan. Gold Circle owns all worldwide rights.
  • George Hickenlooper's The Man From Elysian Fields, a drama starring Andy Garcia, Mick Jagger, Jason Robards, Julia Ormond and Julianna Marguilles. Shoreline Entertainment will handle international rights while GCF retains domestic.
  • Pool Hall Junkies, written and directed by Mars Callahan. Shooting in Salt Lake City, Utah, it stars Christopher Walken and Chazz Palminteri. Cutting Edge Entertainment has picked up international rights while GCF has domestic.

    • GCF also has two films in post-production:

  • Teen horror drama Wishcraft, directed by Richard Wenk and starring Alexandra Holden and Michael Weston. GCF owns worldwide rights.
  • My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a co-production with Tom Hank's production company, Playtone. Lion's Gate International has picked up worldwide rights to the comedy. Premium movie channel, Home Box Office (HBO), acquired TV rights.

    • In addition, GCF has drama Tempted in pre-production. To be directed by Australian filmmaker Bill Bennett (Kiss Or Kill), Tempted is a co-production with France's TF1 which will own international rights. Burt Reynolds and Saffron Burrows are attached as leads.