By Sheri

WILL SMITH, JADA PINKETT-SMITH & TOM CRUISE
AT WEST L.A.’S SADDLE RANCH CHOP HOUSE

(WTF — DID TOM AND JADA SPLIT AN OUTFIT???)

Photo: Kmm/X17 Online

If you’re gonna make a sort of a Western love story movie and you want to try out a bunch of actors at a table script reading, then it stands to reason you’d want to take them to a Western-themed restaurant in West Los Angeles with a goofy name like The Saddle Ranch Chop House, doesn’t it? Well, if you’re Will Smith, then apparently it makes perfect sense cuz that’s just what he did recently.

Smith’s production company, Overbrook Productions, had a slew of actors at the eatery as a part of casting for the upcoming film, Paper Wings. The movie’s about a romance between a rodeo star and a wannabe country singer. The rumor so far is that Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz are up for the lead roles, but that’s only a rumor. (Another one is that Will Smith is starting to get into Scientology…)

Among the other actors at the Saddle Ranch table read were Reese Witherspoon and Tom Arnold. (Can you imagine them together in the leads? Oh no, that’s just all wrong!) Maybe Tom Arnold is being considered for a supporting role… It’s interesting that another ex-Roseanne sitcommer, Johnny Galecki (David) was at the read too. (Love him!) So was Jenna Elfman  (not from Roseanne, but had her own sitcom, Dharma and Greg).

I wonder if most actors think table reads are easier than on stage auditions? I guess it wouldn’t make much difference… or would it? Would any actors like to comment and prove me wrong? Go ahead — make my day!

Anyway, Paper Wings sounds like it could be good… I’d probably watch it. Now that I’ve boycotted all Mel Gibson films, I’ve got some openings in my movie watching schedule!