Madonna's angle with Cruz

Singer cozies up to Penelope Cruz, perhaps hoping director pal can end her bad run at the box office

There's word Madonna has put her friend Penelope Cruz in a bit of a bind. While the two have been friends for several years, Cruz is beginning to think that Madonna recently has pursued her only to get close to filmmaker Pedro Almodovar -- the Spanish director and writer who made Cruz a star.

Part of the Madonna push came at a recent New York dinner they both attended where Almodovar was honored. That led to a pitch by Madonna for a film project starring both woman, directed by Almodovar.

Given the Material Girl's history of box-office bombs, Almodovar is said to to be hesitant but has promised to read the script. ''She still is Madonna. Her name still is magic,'' said an Almodovar associate. ''Who knows? Maybe Pedro's gifts could turn things around for her!''

JACKSON UPDATE: While Janet Jackson has mostly kept herself in the background, there's buzz she is agreeable to the wish of Michael's children that she be named successor guardian, if their grandmother Katherine Jackson dies before they turn 18.

• Meanwhile Janet's personal life is getting interesting. Her ex, Jemaine Dupri, supposedly has moved back in with her, just as Jackson's interest in the Black Eyed Peas' Will.i.am ramps up!

GOT HIS NUMBER: The ''42 Club'' -- dedicated to celebrating the memory of the late, great Chicago Bears quarterback Sid Luckman -- celebrates its 10th anniversary tonight at Gibsons Rush Street steakery, emceed by Tom Dreesen. At the event, benefitting the Mayo Clinic, Jerry Reinsdorf is the honoree, joining such past Club 42 honorees as Clint Eastwood and Mike Ditka.

MORE RETRO: In the wake of the "Melrose Place" and "Beverly Hills 90210" revivals, the long-anticipated ''Dallas'' revival series is happening. Larry Hagman and Linda Gray reportedly are both on board for regular cameos, as producers are casting for new Ewing family members.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: Actress and Chicago native Nadine Velazquez (''My Name is Earl'') hung out at the Underground and Sunda this weekend. ... The beauty quotient was very high at the James Hotel, as Victoria's Secret ''Angels'' like Marisa Miller were in the house. ... Funnyman Mark Curry (''Hangin' With Mr. Cooper'') was spied lunching at Harry Caray's downtown, where (separately) Hawks star Patrick Kane toasted Dutchie Caray and Grant DePorter on the eatery's 22nd birthday. ...Victory Gardens' Dennis Zacek lunched with an old friend, veteran actor Peter Strauss, at Toast.

IN FOCUS: Kartemquin Films producer Joanna Rudnick screens her Emmy-nominated documentary ''In The Family'' at 5:30 tonight at the Siskel Film Center. The free screening, sponsored by Chicago Council on Science & Technology, reveals Rudnick's very personal look at genetic testing for breast cancer.

• Speaking of Kartemquin, those talented filmmakers are celebrating the 15th anniversary of their Oscar-nominated ''Hoop Dreams'' with a 7 p.m. screening tonight at Columbia College's Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, attended by director Steve James and executive producer Gordon Quinn.

WEIGHTY ISSUE: Chaz (formerly Chastity) Bono is well on his way to becoming a man. The breasts have been removed, but Chaz's mom Cher is worried the hormone treatments and various medications have made an already zaftig Chastity/Chaz ''into a blimp.'' The singer is concerned that obesity issues will affect her child's longterm health, says a longtime Cher insider.