Always up for a good book, Scott Rudin is turning his attention to Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for Paramount Pictures. Michael Tolkin and Roger Michell are in negotiations to adapt and direct a period adaptation of the classic book with a focus on its racial issues. The idea to revive the classic came from Michell, who took it to Rudin and Tolkin, both of whom he worked with on "Changing Lanes." There have been numerous big-screen adaptations of "Huckleberry Finn" -- most recently Walt Disney Pictures' "The Adventures of Huck Finn," directed in 1993 by Stephen Sommers and starring Elijah Wood. The project would be part of a current vogue for Twain projects. At DreamWorks, a big-screen adaptation of the novel "Mark Twain Remembers," by Thomas Hauser, is in the works; Steven Spielberg is understood to have some interest in directing. That book, which was inspired by Twain's life and works, is told from the perspective of an older Twain looking back at a crucial period in his life. DreamWorks declined comment. (Liza Foreman)

Miramax layoffs eyed
Miramax Films staffers could be bracing for a round of layoffs, according to sources, as purse strings are tightened at the Walt Disney Co.-owned mini-major. Sources close to the situation said Thursday that the threatened downsizing is related to the ever-growing battle of wills between Disney CEO Michael Eisner and Miramax co-toppers Harvey and Bob Weinstein. Whereas the Disney and Miramax units had been working together harmoniously -- at least in the ranks below the media moguls -- relations have shifted lately, according to sources sympathetic to Miramax, with Eisner now clamping down on the Miramax operation. The contentious relationship has come to a head recently over the Michael Moore documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11," which Eisner blocked Miramax from releasing. At press time, it could not be determined which departments could face the brunt of the layoffs or the number of employees that might be affected. A Miramax representative declined comment, and a Disney representative did not return calls by press time. Any significant cuts would mark the first since 2002, when the mini-major implemented a round of companywide layoffs affecting about 15% of the its 500-person roster (HR 3/18/02). With the Weinsteins focusing on "Fahrenheit," which they personally bought back from Disney, Miramax activity has slowed for the summer. Production topper Meryl Poster is taking a sabbatical to spend time with her family, and the mini-major's hot-weather releases include two martial arts epics: the July rollout of "Zatoichi" and August release of "Hero." Films in production include Robert Rodriguez's "Sin City" and Mikael Hafstrom's "Derailed." (Ian Mohr)