Dakota Fanning to star in ‘Dreamer’

Talk about precocious! Talk about talented! Young Dakota Fanning had to learn Spanish, swimming and piano for her role in “Man on Fire,” ballet for “Uptown Girls,” stunts for “The Cat in the Hat,” and now for “Dreamer” with Kurt Russell she’s learning to ride a horse. This about a horse trainer and his 11-year-old daughter who rescue a horse with a broken leg and nurse it back to health. They then enter it in the Breeder’s Cup race. The film is shooting in Louisiana.

Dakota has set her sights on “Alice in Wonderland,” Lewis Carroll’s wondrous tale of a little girl who goes through a looking glass and meets up with even more wondrous characters like The Queen of Hearts, The White Rabbit, The Caterpillar and the Mad Hatter. “Alice” has been seen before. On the big screen in 1933 and in an animated version in 1999.

One cannot but wonder how it will play today in this age of computers, things mechanical, shoot-‘em-ups and car chases. Hopefully a whole new generation will learn there can be wonder without machines. Before this comes to fruition, Dakota co-stars with Robert DeNiro in “Hide and Seek” for Fox.

Aside to Roberta G. of Butte, Mont. Indeed I do agree with you. Paul Bettany, who co-stars with Kirsten Dunst in “Wimbledon,” is sexy, handsome and an excellent actor. He is better known in Britain, but now after roles in “A Beautiful Mind,” “Master and Commander,” “A Knight’s Tale” and “Wimbledon,” he should be a household word. I hate to burst your bubble, but Paul is married to Jennifer Connelly and has a son. Incidentally, I’m happy to see “Wimbledon” doing well at the box office. Usually sports pics aren’t always the biggest.

And to Dorothea D. of Elmwood, Wis. No, I do not think Sandra Bullock is temperamental. The reason she dropped out of “Prime” was because she didn’t think the script was right. Perhaps by the time you read this it may be rectified and she may be back in. Sandra is very professional. As to her love life, your guess is as good as mine.

Bits ‘N’ Pieces

•Julia’s almost six months now, and she’s really showing she’s going to be a mom. Caught recently shopping for “baby things” and maternity clothes, she was all radiant smiles.

•It’s amazing. Anna Nicole looks more like her son’s sister than his mom.

•Those bikes that the Hilton lassies buzz about on cost $7,900, and that’s all we’ll say about the ladies this week.

•Reese Witherspoon keeps getting better and better. Catch her in “Vanity Fair.”

•Interesting to learn Naomi Watts is terrified of getting stuck in an elevator. This columnist had it happen recently in my apartment building. In there for two hours and believe me, I wouldn’t wish the experience on my worst enemy!

•Zhang Ziyi, so good in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” will play the title role in the film version of “Memoirs of a Geisha.”

•It actually happened, and no one could believe what they were seeing! Carrie-Anne Moss walking the streets of West Hollywood breastfeeding her boy child. I mean, REALLY!

•To Babetta B. of Boca Raton, Fla. I am not qualified to answer your question. I know that twins are supposed to be alike in every way. So, ask your doctor why Mary-Kate is anorexic and Ashley isn’t.

•The search is on hot and heavy for the new James Bond after Pierce Brosnan said “nevermore.” Whom would you suggest for the role?