Arquette's 'Honky!' fever Newcomer Leeds to helm By CHRIS PETRIKIN, April 20, 1999 For once a lack of rhythm actually gets you some place. For David Arquette ("Never Been Kissed") it means the starring (and title) role in New Regency's comedy "Honky!," to be directed by newcomer Stephen Leeds. In the pic, Arquette will play a clueless white entertainer who has been hired by two black promoters to host a third-rate version of "Soul Train" dubbed "Boogie Fever." What he doesn't know is that he's been hired for his utter lack of talent in order to sink the show's chances and free the producers from their contractual obligations to the network. While Arquette is onboard and has a pay-or-play deal on the pic, D.L. Hughley, who was attached to co-star as one of the "Boogie Fever" producers, has dropped out due to scheduling issues. "Honky!" was to start filming this summer, but is now slated for a mid-October start. New Regency is fully financing the $14 million pic, written by Phil Tag, Aaron Pugliese and Andrew Winer. Brad Krevoy and Doug Draizin are producing. Fox will distribute under its deal with Regency. Arquette's deal was brokered by ICM's Nick Styne and Risa Shapiro. He is managed by Steven Siebert.