NEW YORK — Sean Penn is going slapstick.

The studio MGM says the double Oscar winner has signed on to play Larry in the Farrelly brothers' big-screen update of "The Three Stooges."

Jim Carrey was "in negotiations" for the role of Curly, said MGM spokesman Grey Munford. The studio first featured the stooges in a series of shorts and features beginning in 1933.

Munford would not confirm reports that Benicio Del Toro will play Moe.

He said filming begins this fall on the comedy, which is expected to be released in 2010.

MAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO STALKING GYMNAST

LOS ANGELES — A man who police say had guns, duct tape and love letters in his car when he tried to jump a security fence in an attempt to meet "Dancing With the Stars" contestant Shawn Johnson pleaded not guilty yesterday to stalking and other charges.

Robert O'Ryan was arrested Tuesday at the studio where the ABC show is produced. Authorities say they found loaded guns, duct tape and love letters in a car he drove from Florida to meet Johnson, a 17-year-old Olympic gymnast.

The 34-year-old O'Ryan was charged yesterday with one felony count of stalking and two misdemeanor counts of carrying a loaded gun in a vehicle.

'SURVIVOR' SEEKS RELEASE FROM PRISON

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — "Survivor" winner Richard Hatch wants a judge to free him immediately from a federal prison for evading taxes on the $1 million prize he won on the debut season of the CBS reality series, according to court documents.

Hatch, who is representing himself, filed the request Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Providence. He is now serving a four-year and three-month sentence at a prison in West Virginia.

The reality TV star argued in a 43-page memo that he should be released because he is innocent, was represented by ineffective lawyers and that a judge improperly calculated his prison sentence.

U.S. District Court Judge William Smith has not yet ruled on the request.

'ENGLAND' DAN SEALS DIES FROM CANCER

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dan Seals, who was England Dan in the pop duo England Dan and John Ford Coley and later had a successful country career, has died of complications from cancer. He was 61.

Longtime manager Tony Gottlieb said Seals, diagnosed with lymphoma two years ago, died Wednesday night at his daughter's home in Nashville.

With England Dan and John Ford Coley, Seals had hits including "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" and "Nights Are Forever," both in 1976.

His country hits in the '80s and '90s included "Bop," "You Still Move Me," "Love on Arrival," and a duet with Marie Osmond, "Meet Me in Montana."

Seals is survived by his wife, four children and seven grandchildren.