Merendino in talks for 'Easy' project
Milner-penned pic involves plot to swindle wealthy women

September 28, 2001 - By Charles Lyons

James Merendino ("SLC Punk") is in final negotiations to direct the suspenser "Dead Easy," penned by Jay G. Milner, for Tomorrow Films.

Pic will be produced by Tomorrow's Yoram Pelman and Michael Mullen, along with Sam Maydew, Nathan Folks and Todd Grodnick. Tomorrow's Marc Schaberg will exec produce.

"Dead Easy" is an elaborate caper involving a plot to swindle a wealthy woman and her daughter women out of millions of dollars.

Merendino's "SLC Punk" won him an Independent Spirit Award nom and a two-pic pact with Miramax.

Production, sales and distribution shingle Tomorrow Film is headed up by Pelman. Along with HSI Entertainment, company produced "An American Girl," starring Jena Malone, Brad Renfro, Alicia Witt and Clifton Collins Jr., which is in post-production. Also with HSI, Tomorrow made "The Third Wheel," starring Ben Affleck, Denise Richards and Luke Wilson, to be released by Miramax next year.