Bette Midler, Candice Bergan and Carrie Fisher have joined the case of Inferno Distribution's comedy The Women, which is currently shooting in New York and Boston.

Annette Bening, Eva Mendes and Jada Pinkett Smith also star in the story of a wealthy New Yorker who leaves her cheating husband and bonds with other society women. Inferno has sold Italian rights to Bim.

Inferno chiefs Bill Johnson and Jim Seibel also said they have hired Carroll Ballard to direct the remake of Japanese drama Hachiko: A Dog's Story starring Richard Gere.

Sony will release the film domestically as part of Inferno's first-look deal with the studio.

The film is being lined up for an Oct 8 start in Rhode Island and stars Gere as the owner of a faithful dog. Further casting announcements are expected imminently.

Johnson and Seibel have sold rights to Shochiku in Japan, Manga in Spain, and RCV in Benelux.

The partners have also optioned screenplays to the spoof Van Damme Vs Seagal and the thriller November Gale, which Inferno will produce with Wild Hogs film-makers Mandeville.