FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ADVERTISEMENT

It may sound strange, but the hit romantic comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral is now playing an important role in promoting Sirens, a movie from a different studio. Recent print ads for Sirens, a drama about a bohemian painter and his beautiful models, begin with a critic's quote, " 'If you liked Four Weddings and a Funeral, you will fall in love with Sirens!"

Why would Miramax Films, Sirens' distributor, want to hype a film released by a rival, Gramerey Pictures? The answer: the box office pull of hot new leading man Hugh Grant, who costars in both films. And just in case any potential Sirens viewers might not make that connection on their own, Grant's name in the ad is followed by the words Four Weddings in parentheses.

BRIDGES UNDER CONSTRUCTION

In a related item, sources tell us that Four Weddings director Mike Newell has become Steven Spielberg's first choice to direct the big-screen version of Robert Waller's runaway bestseller, The Bridges of Madison County. Spielberg, who recently decided not to direct the film himself, will remain on the project as producer.

As for the movie's casting, Clint Eastwood continues to be mentioned for the role of the roaming photographer who sweeps an Iowa farmer's wife off her feet; the race for the female lead, however, remains wide open.

SUMMER SESSION

With this season's final episode of Beverly Hills, 90210 scheduled to air May 25, we thought you'd like to know how some of the cast members will be spending their summer hiatus. Jason Priestley will star in the upcoming feature film Coldblooded, a dark comedy about a hit man who falls in love with his aerobics instructor. Tori Spelling has the title role in the NBC movie tentatively called Death of a Cheer-leader (to be aired next season), in which her character is killed by Kellie Martin (TV's Christy). Jennie Garth, who last month married musician Dan Clark, has nothing scheduled yet. Same for Luke Perry, who recently got over a bout with the chicken pox.

As for Shannen Doherty—whose 90210 future is still uncertain—she'll coproduce and star in an NBC movie based on the life of Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell. The project has been in development for almost a year.

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