the dish

Sequel to 'Maverick'? It was just a matter of time before it came up: Sarah Palin, the movie. "Milk" screenwriter Dustin Lance Black thinks the idea holds endless possibilities, telling Variety, "I'm always down for politics as humor. I'm also interested in great characters." Tom McCarthy, writer/director of "The Visitor," would focus on would-be son-in-law Levi Johnston, pictured: "This young man gets his girlfriend pregnant and ends up on the stage at the Republican Convention. There's a dark comedy there somewhere. He was like a deer in the headlights."

The final reel Anne Hathaway, left, will join Jack Black in a superhero comedy directed by Stephen Chow ("Kung Fu Hustle"). ... Brad Pitt is rumored for the role of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane in Steven Soderbergh's adaptation of "Moneyball," Michael Lewis' deconstruction of the team's small-market success. ... Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins have signed on to Woody Allen's next film, which will begin shooting in London this summer. ... Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart and Richard Jenkins will star in the adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's "The Rum Diary." ... Steven Spielberg's long-gestating "Lincoln," featuring Liam Neeson, might yet appear in the year of Lincoln. Screenwriter Tony Kushner says if the script gets approval in the next few weeks, the film could be out by Christmas. ... Kevin James, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider and David Spade are teaming up for an unnamed comedy produced by Sandler's Happy Madison company.

CYNTHIA DICKISON