Big screen soap attracts big talent with Travolta and MacLaine still circling

Casting is finally ramping up for Robert Luketic's big screen version of "Dallas."

According to Variety, Luke Wilson is expected follow in Patrick Duffy's footsteps as Bobby Ewing and Jennifer Lopez will attempt to top Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing in the fresh take on the classic CBS primetime soap opera.

Both actors are still in some form of negotiations for the Regency Enterprises/20th Century Fox production.

As has long been rumored, offers are also out to John Travolta for J.R. Ewing and to Shirley MacLaine to play Miss Ellie Ewing.

The most recent draft of the "Dallas" script was written by Robert Harling and Sacha Gervasi. It's unclear what approach the writers plan to take to the soap, which focused on the tawdry relationships between oil magnates in Texas. "Dallas" ran from 1978-1991, reaching its peak with the "Who Shot J.R.?" episode, which was the highest-rated single episode of a TV series at the time.

If Travolta signs on, production on "Dallas" probably won't begin until October, after the actor completes singing and dressing in drag for "Hairspray."

Wilson was last seen in "The Family Stone." The actor, brother of Butterscotch Stallion Owen, has "Idiocracy" and "Super Ex."

Lopez had a decent-sized hit last summer with "Monster-in-Law," but failed to bring viewers to "An Unfinished Life." The singer and actress has lined up a series of indies including "El Cantante" and "Bordertown."