The Invisible Man

But Anschutz isn't limiting his moviemaking to Cussler's work. Crusader is already shooting two films in Chicago: Joshua, based on Joseph Girzone's book that has Jesus making a Second Coming in the Deep South, and Children on Their Birthdays, from Truman Capote's short story. Pierce Brosnan is set to star in A Sound of Thunder, a movie adapted from Ray Bradbury's short story that's now in pre-production. And Crusader's also bought the rights to Ray Charles's memoirs, which will turn into Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Story. Anschutz will have to scrub that one hard to bring it down to PG.

This spring, Anschutz set up a second film company, the New York-based Walden Media, which will reportedly tackle educational products that deal with historical subjects or classic books. For Walden, Anschutz teamed up with Cary Granat, former president of Dimension Films, where he was responsible for such historic classics as Spy Kids, the Scream series and the very high-minded Scary Movie.

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More About

• Clive Cussler
• Philip Anschutz
• Hollywood
• Motion Picture Production and Distribution
• Dirk Pitt

And Anschutz doesn't have to worry about pleasing Hollywood in order to get these movies shown -- although he's a very popular man in L.A., where he built the Staples Center, is the second-largest owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, owns pieces of the Clippers and the Kings, and also has the Galaxy, one of four soccer teams (including the Colorado Rapids) that he runs around the country. Recent deals could give Anschutz control of a fifth of the country's movie theaters, over 6,000 screens. In March he completed the acquisition of the Englewood-based United Artists theater chain; he has his eye on Regal Cinema, the nation's largest movie-theater chain, based in Knoxville, Tennessee; and this month, he and Oaktree Capital Management LLC will buy 51 percent of Edwards Theaters Circuit Inc., which, like United Artists, was facing bankruptcy.

"One of the greatest challenges in the entertainment industry today is to utilize the same prudent business practices employed by successful companies in other fields of the economy," pronounces Crusader's Web site. "Creativity should not be accompanied by extravagance. Successful companies achieve true creativity by functioning efficiently and effectively. We are confident that we can make successful films while keeping our focus on the bottom line."

Not thatbottom line: After all, these will be family-friendly films.

"'That's me,' Pitt said jovially, 'the salvation of lost animals and little old ladies who need to cross streets.'"

The ludicrous exchange -- from Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt® Revealed, a book by Cussler about Dirk Pitt® and himself -- continues.

"'You wouldn't be Dirk Pitt if you didn't betray a hint of compassion now and then.'

"Pitt looked at the older man steadily. 'Why is it that when we meet I'm never supposed to remember who you are?'

"'Because I plan it that way...I make an occasional appearance to set you back on course before quietly exiting stage right.'

"'I'm not sure I appreciate all you put me through. I have more scars, physical and mental, than I care to count.'

"'Adventure takes its toll on heroes and villains,' said the gray-haired man philosophically.

"'That's easy for you to say. I hope I fare better in the next adventure.'

"'One only knows where the plot will take us.'

"'Will there be a next time? I hear talk of you retiring.'

"'The thought has crossed my mind. I'm finding it more difficult to be creative as the years pass.'

"'A lot of people are counting on us,' Pitt said sincerely.

"The gray-haired man's face had a sad look to it. It was almost as if he hated to leave. 'Good-bye, Dirk Pitt. Until we meet again.'

"'Good-bye, Clive Cussler. Stay healthy, and never age.'"

Dirk Pitt® goes out to save the world.

But Phil Anschutz already owns it.