NEW YORK (Variety) - The new Caped Crusader in "Batman & Robin," George Clooney, is in talks with Warner Bros. to join Will Smith in the Barry Sonnenfeld-directed adaptation of the TV series "Wild Wild West."

He's not yet committed to co-star, but sources say a rewrite of the script is being done specifically for Clooney.

Smith, coming off Independence Day and Men in Black, signed on months ago to play James T. West, the character created by Robert Conrad in the 1965-70 CBS series. Clooney would play Artemus Gordon, West's sidekick and a master of disguises. That role was originated by the late Ross Martin.

Trouble is, Artemus was clearly the secondary character in the series. The key to getting Clooney is making the partnership equal. As in the series, the film duo are Secret Service agents assigned by President Ulysses S. Grant -- a role Conrad might play -- to go undercover in the West.

The film's being produced by Peters Entertainment. If Clooney ultimately signs on, shooting won't start until next year. Smith will be busy shooting the Tony Scott-directed Enemy of the State, and Clooney will be busy starring with Jennifer Lopez in the Jersey Films adaptation of Out of Sight, a novel by Elmore Leonard. Besides, Clooney's returning for another season of TV's top-rated series, ER.

The original West script was by Steve Wilson and Brent Maddock.

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JUNE 20, 1997

This was found at http://www.aint-it-cool-new.com/cool64.html:

"This spy wanted to be called General Gomer Pyle. Man, isn't that just about the scariest thing you ever heard? Gives me the chills. Anyway General Pyle reports that Sonnenfeld says that the deal to make THE WILD, WILD WEST is all but done. Pyle heard something about Barry anticipating a Feb '98 start, with the film coming out at Christmas '98 or Summer '99. Gomer says that Sonnenfeld was psyched to work again with Will Smith as much as possible in the future, both on WEST and in a MEN IN BLACK sequel (for which Tommy Lee would probably come back, even though we might be thinking otherwise by the film) As of now, he has no clue whatsoever as to who will be Artemis Pyle (which was Gomer's cousin's nephew's step-father of the sister his grandmother beat with a peach tree switch back when that could be done and not be looked down upon) opposite Smith in WILD WILD WEST."

To check this out, go here: COOL NEWS

OK folks, as of today (JUNE 20), I would say that Will Smith *IS* in as the new James West. (This is based on this and other info sent to me by reliable sources). I will continue to add updates as I get them...

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JUNE 14, 1997

In the recent edition of Entertainment Weekly, an article on Will Smith states, "According to a source, Smith is close to signing on to both State and The Wild, Wild West, Sonnenfeld's take on the wry '60s TV series for Warner Bros".