LA, July 23: Actress Elizabeth Banks, appearing with Tobey Maguire in Universal's upcoming horse-racing tale "Seabiscuit," is now saddling up to star in a big-city drama titled "Heights." Actor James Marsden (the superhero mutant Cyclops in the "X-Men" movies) also is negotiating for a role in the project, with Glenn Close being eyed for another part.

"Heights," a Merchant Ivory production, is scheduled to begin shooting in September in New York with first-time feature director Chris Terrio at the helm.
The project is described as a quintessential New York story with Banks in the female lead as a photojournalist who is forced to come to terms with a complicated relationship in her life. Close is being targeted to play the mother of Banks' character, with Marsden taking the role of her fiance.
In addition to "Seabiscuit," which opens Friday, Banks has appeared in "Catch Me If You Can," "Spider-Man" and "Wet Hot American Summer." She next stars in "Spider-Man II." Close next stars in Merchant Ivory's "Le Divorce" for Fox Searchlight Pictures. Marsden most recently starred in the summer blockbuster "X2: X-Men United."

Terrio's short film "Book of Kings" was an official selection at last year's AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival.
Bureau Report