There has been considerable industry debate about whether Miramax Films is turning its back on the kind of upscale “specialty” fare like “The English Patient” that made its name, but nobody denies co-chairmen Bob and Harvey Weinstein’s eye for a winner.

Now they are putting together two unlikely elements in the hope of scoring a box-office knockout: Horrormeister Wes Craven (director of Miramax’s “Scream” series) and the classy French flick “With a Friend Like Harry.”

Craven is in talks to direct an English-language version of the thriller, about a man on vacation who stumbles across an old friend who then helps him get rid of the unwanted people in his life, by killing them.

It won’t be the first time Miramax has turned to foreign sources for an American movie: It is currently developing a Hollywood version of the Japanese romantic comedy “Shall We Dance?” that at one point had Tom Hanks interested in starring.

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Last time you saw John Wells’ name mentioned prominently in these pages, it was in connection with the Writers Guild of America labor talks appropriately enough, since Wells is the WGA’s president.

But now, with the potential strike averted, the prolific writer-producer and creative locomotive behind “E.R.” is moving ahead with his regular work life. He is joining forces with actress Julianne Moore on “Raveling,” a feature that the “Hannibal” co-star will executive produce and act in for Wells’ company. Moore’s boyfriend, Bart Freundlich, will direct.

Based on a book by Peter Moore Smith, “Raveling” centers on a psychologist and her efforts to uncover the truth behind a murder.

Ted Turner has always loved Hollywood and now he may be spending a lot more time here.

Years ago, the media mogul bought New Line Cinema and then launched another label, Turner Pictures, before closing it down when Turner Broadcasting merged with Time Warner. Since then, as vice chairman of AOL Time Warner, he has kept a distance from the movie business.

Now Ted is back, and likely to be spotted wining and dining the stars in L.A. again. He has created an independent new production company that will make features and documentaries, based in Atlanta but also with offices in Los Angeles.

Ted Turner Pictures has no official connection to AOL Time Warner but plans to collaborate as often as possible with the larger company.

Turner’s new film operation will be headed by Robert Wussler, a veteran CBS executive who also spent several years with Turner Broadcasting. It will largely make documentaries for the United Nations Foundation, the Nuclear Threat Initiative and the Turner Foundation, and also some features. Feature ideas will be pitched to Warner Bros. before other studios.

Contributing columnist Stephen Galloway can be reached at [email protected].