Mel Gibson To Star In ‘Ransom’

Mel Gibson has reached an agreement in principle to star in “Ransom” for Disney’s Touchstone Pictures. Ron Howard is expected to direct the thriller, sources said. “Ransom,” purchased last summer by Touchstone for $1.3 million, is about a Silicon Valley millionaire who turns the tables on his son’s kidnapper by putting out a reward for the safe return of his boy rather than paying the ransom.

And in other entertainment news, the Partner Stations Network is hoping to raise ratings as well as eyebrows with its pairing of Tammy Faye Bakker and acerbic actor Jim J Bullock (“Boogie’s Diner”) for a new talk show. The show, dubbed “The Jim J and Tammy Faye Show,” is being produced by foxlab (formerly Fox Television Stations Productions).