Ellroy Confidential

		*HOLLYWOOD PROJECTS (VARIETY)*

		VILLAGE HITS ROAD WITH $125 MIL IN 7 WB PIX Just nine months after Village Roadshow Pictures was restructured to invest in Warner Bros. films, the company — under former WB president Bruce Berman — has become a partner in seven high-profile films, to the tune of $125 million. At the same time, Village Roadshow is moving forward with its own slate, which will include “L.A. Confidential” novelist James Ellroy scripting a remake of the 1949 Warner Bros. James Cagney drama “White Heat.” Like many studios, WB has gotten more aggressive about offsetting escalating budgets by sharing risks with partners — particularly after a string of costly films underperformed at the box office. "77" James Ellroy will adapt the screenplay from his own pitch by the same name. Story focuses on the true story of the only unsolved cop killing case in Los Angeles. DreamWorks reportedly is interested. APG will produce. NOLTE "JAZZ" UP FOR GRABS Nick Nolte, surging off his Oscar-nominated performance in "Affliction" and acclaimed perf in "The Thin Red Line," finds a pet project now up for grabs. Fine Line has put into turnaround "White Jazz," the adaptation of the James Ellroy novel, which Nolte's Kingsgate Films has been developing as a star vehicle for the actor. It's adapted by Chris Cleveland and will be directed by Bob Richardson. The budget grew too rich for Fine Line, which gave it back to Nolte, who wants to play the central character of a corrupt cop who gets set up while investigating a police-sanctioned crime family.