No News is No News

Someone around the office remembered fondly . . . that just about two years ago, amid the sparkle of flashing cameras and TV lights, the announcement was made for Sylvester Stallone’s six-year, 10-pic pact with the newly restructured United Artists. They had once teamed for a tough and tender little picture called “Rocky.�

So what’s with that deal today?

“It’s a nothing pact,� declared UA chairman Lee Rich.

Come again?

“It’s still in existence and we’ll be getting some pictures one of these days, but . . . “

Rich pointed out that back when Sly inked the deal, he had several prior commitments--including “Cobra,� “Over the Top� and the epic “Rambo III.�

Said Rich: “I only pay him (Stallone) when I get the pictures. It’s not as if this is hurting our company. We don’t stand or fall on whether we get pictures from one source or two sources.�

But hey--isn’t Sly’s next up “The Executioner� going to kick off the UA deal? (The deal calls for Sly to star in five pictures, and write/direct/produce the others.)

Rich was diplomatic: “You’re right. And we’re looking forward to the picture and after we get it, we’ll go from there.�

Robin Garb, president of White Eagle Enterprises--Sly’s company--said that a new screenplay draft for “The Executioner� has just gotten underway.

Based on the paperback series (more than 100 titles) by Don Pendleton, about a tough guy with a vendetta, the pic probably will begin shooting “about three months down the line.�

Joel Silver’s set to produce. And William Friedkin will direct. The original script’s by Hilary Henkin, although Sly usually helps out with the writing.