Kirk Cameron, Louis Gossett Jr. in 'Left Behind: World at War'

Kirk Cameron has been asked a lot lately whether he thinks the end of the world is near, which seems awfully strange if you still think of him as the teen heartthrob of the old "Growing Pains" sitcom -- less strange if you've seen him in the "Left Behind" movies.
 
"Left Behind: World at War" -- the third film adaptation of the best-selling book series that turns final days biblical prophecy into a serial thriller -- gets released on DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Oct. 25. And it's getting screened at some 3,000 churches starting tomorrow (10/21).
 
"It's a unique distribution strategy. They're really out-of-the-box thinkers," Kirk says of producing firm Cloud Ten Pictures.

Screening starts tomorrow at Churches

This time, they've got Louis Gossett Jr. as the president of the United States. "Lou kicked the acting up a level," says Kirk. "There's one scene at the very end between me and him. The White House is on fire, the end is near ... in a lesser actor's hands, it might not have worked."
 
But back to the apocalypse.

"I don't like to be the go-to expert on biblical prophecy," admits Kirk -- who has become a go-to guy lately for talk shows looking for comments on issues pertaining to Hollywood and religion. "With all the catastrophes lately, there's a lot of talk about it, but no one knows. I do know I could be hit by a car tomorrow, so I want to make sure my affairs are in order today." And, yep, all the talk is probably "fortuitous" for the movie.
 
Kirk, who has a reality series called "The Way of the Master" on Christian cable channels, claims that becoming known for his passionate beliefs has had a "great effect" on his professional life. "A lot of people are trying to take advantage of the Christian marketplace now, but because of my personal life, it's not a new market for me."
 
THE VIDEOLAND VIEW:

With "Gilmore Girls" in its sixth season, there is already speculation as to whether an end is in sight, but according to Scott Patterson, as long as the creators stick around, then everyone else is on board.
 
"I think as long as Amy [Sherman] feels that she and her husband Daniel can continue to produce original, fresh storylines, then I see no reason why it shouldn't continue," says Patterson, who plays the loveable Luke. "I think when they've had enough, they'll know it. Hopefully it will be later than sooner."  This comes as good news for fans who are pleased to see Patterson's character finally engaged to Lorelai (Lauren Graham). But as with all television shows, nothing is guaranteed. "It's a new kind of tension now," notes Patterson. "Now it's a question of will the marriage come off, will it be delayed, will there be complications?"
 
MEANWHILE:

Patterson is already beginning to branch out. 'I'm trying to get the option on a life story of an extraordinary Pakistani woman who has suffered some horrible tragedies in her life. I'm going to fly to Chicago at the end of the month and actually meet with this woman. She has quite a story to tell, and I would like to be the one who helps tell it. I'm competing with some studios and some producers in New York to get the rights, but I'm hanging in there."
 
YO!:

With Sylvester Stallone, who is pushing 60, planning to get back into the ring as "Rocky" in the sixth installment of the 29-year-old movie franchise next year, casting is already underway for subsidiary characters. Those include the former champ's new chief opponent, Mason "The Line" Dixon, the reigning heavyweight champion, who, according to casting sources, is envisioned as a young African American, 25-35 years old, at least 6'1" and in the 205-235 lb. range. Rocky will, say sources familiar with the script, prove his worthiest adversary. (Maybe Mason "Not Likely" Dixon would be more appropriate?) There's also a female platonic friend for Rocky, who is in grief over the death of his beloved Adrian, and the friend's son, who figure prominently in the story.
 
GETTING SMALLVILLE:

Hunky Alan Ritchson of "American Idol" and Abercrombie & Fitch ad fame admits, "I was a little apprehensive" about walking into work with a cast that's worked together for years on "Smallville" when he embarked on his role as Aquaman, to be seen tonight (10/20). "I was stepping on someone else's turf, and I didn't want to interrupt the balance or get in anyone's way. But they took so kindly to me, I realized there wasn't going to be a problem." That's not quite the case for his character and Clark Kent (Tom Welling), what with a little jealousy thing happening over Lois Lane (Erica Durance) -- and a water battle that Ritchson terms "a doozy."

(With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster)

The Beck/Smith syndicated newspaper column includes exclusive in-depth, behind-the-scenes reports on the stars, on the business of television and movie-making, and on the recording, publishing and media beats.

 ©2005 Creators Syndicate, Inc.