FREDDIE PRINZE JR. HOPES TO SNARE `SPIDER-MAN' ROLE.

Byline: Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Now that Sony has managed to free Spider-Man from the bonds of legal-rights red tape that have kept the highly coveted character out of movie action for years, you'd better believe there'll be a string of actors crawling all over each other to get cast as the web-tossing superhero.

Jim Carrey's already made his interest clear. But don't count out the very hot Freddie Prinze Jr. He says he's determined to play Spidey.

``The moment we hang up, I'm making phone calls,'' said Prinze after being informed by this column that the project, which James Cameron wants to direct, is finally on track.

The actor, who's currently on the big screen in ``She's All That,'' tells us, ``I've always felt very strongly about playing Spider-Man.'' Adds Prinze, who also co-stars with Matthew Lillard in Fox's ``Wing Commander'' sci-fi film, which opens March 12, ``I read comic books to this day. `Spider-Man' was one of my favorites when I was growing up. I used to think I could walk up walls when I was just a little kid.'' Did Prinze ever try? ``Yeah, of course, every kid does!''

When - and if - the time comes to walk up walls, Prinze will be ready. He plays a rookie space pilot in ``Wing Commander,'' and says he insisted on doing all his own stunts. ``I just want people to know that I'm doing my own stuff. I'm healthy and young, and I'm able.''

Meanwhile, Prinze and his live-in lady love, soap star Kimberly McCullough, have been actively looking for a project to do together. Now, he says, ``We're getting very close to finding something. Hopefully, we will ... I would be very lucky if I did get to work with her.''

Musical Goldblum

Jeff Goldblum is the latest to join Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton on the upcoming Hammer & Lace CD to benefit L.A.'s Wildlife Waystation Rescues. The album, which is still in production, also features Keanu Reeves' Dogstar band, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Depp, Mare Winningham, Dennis Quaid and James Belushi.

Meanwhile, Goldblum's started his own group, the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, which will perform at the 21st annual Playboy Jazz Festival June 12-13. The actor, who joins such talent as Grover Washington Jr., Buddy Guy, Dianne Reeves, Ray Charles, Chick Corea and Boney James on the Playboy bill, says the orchestra's name is a tribute to ``Mildred Snitzer, a lovely, stable friend of the family who was an inspiration to me. She's about 90 years old now and still around in Pittsburgh.''

Dancing on tap

Ben Vereen, who just began a run of ``Chicago'' with Chita Rivera at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay resort, is definitely in a musical mood these days. The Tony-winning performer says that his Mandalay Bay gig has given him a chance to get his tapping legs into form - and that now he's looking at several different musical prospects for Broadway, potentially this year.

Meanwhile, Vereen notes that much talk in Vegas lately has to do with efforts to turn Vegas into a top spot for trying out Broadway-bound shows. ``They'll give the town a little more respectability,'' he notes with a laugh.

Importance of being Ernest

Wow - at age 82, Ernie Borgnine carries four movies that are currently making the festival rounds. ``Crime Busters,'' in which he reportedly does a chilling job as the late FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover, just got picked up for distribution by Santa Monica Pictures.

Borgnine's ``Abilene'' indie film showed at the South by Southwest Festival, and his ``Last Great Ride,'' with Eileen Brennan, was featured at the recent Santa Clarita Festival.

The Oscar winner also has the kiddie flick ``Mel,'' directed by Joey Travolta, on his list. It showed at the American Film Market. Borgnine was in pain for part of last year with a knee problem but says that now, following surgery, he's feeling good and rarin' to go again.

With reports by Stephanie DuBois.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1) PRINZE JR.

(2) VEREEN