Upcoming Universal Movies

1997 releases include “The Jackal,” an international thriller starring Bruce Willis, Richard Gere and Sidney Poitier and directed by Michael Caton-Jones (Nov. 14); “For Richer or Poorer,” a comedy starring Tim Allen and Kirstie Alley (December); and “The Boxer,” a romantic drama starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Emily Watson and directed by Jim Sheridan (Dec. 31).

For 1998: “Primary Colors,” a drama directed by Mike Nichols, based on Elaine May’s adaptation of Joe Klein’s best-selling novel, starring John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Kathy Bates and Billy Bob Thornton (March 20); and “Mercury Rising,” an action thriller starring Bruce Willis and Alec Baldwin from director Harold Becker and producer Brian Grazer (April 3).

On tap for summer is “Meet Joe Black,” a romantic drama directed by Martin Brest and starring Brad Pitt (June 12).

Fall movies include: “One True Thing,” a family drama based on Anna Quindlen’s novel, directed by Carl Franklin and starring Meryl Streep, Renee Zellweger and William Hurt (Oct. 15); and “Babe in Metropolis,” the sequel to George Miller’s hit film (Thanksgiving).

For winter, expect “Patch Adams,” a dramatic comedy based on a true story, starring Robin Williams and directed by Tom Shadyac (December).

Also in the works are sequels to Amblin’s “Twister,” “Casper” and “The Flintstones” as well as Imagine’s “Nutty Professor.”