SUBMITTED BY pimpjoe_esb

May 31, 2007 — Variety reports that after more than a decade of trying, Diane English has a solid cast and an Aug. 6 start date for "The Women," the remake of the 1939 classic that she adapted and will direct.

Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debra Messing and Candice Bergen have either signed or are near committing to star in a contemporized version of the George Cukor-directed film, which Picturehouse will distribute domestically next year.

The project's less-than-$20 million budget has been financed by Inferno Entertainment, Picturehouse and soapmaker Dove, which will make "The Women" a major cog in a marketing campaign for its female-friendly brand. The financing was pieced together with an assist from the independent division of ICM, the agency that reps English.

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