AGAINST TYPE

The star role opposite John Travolta in Cannon’s action-comedy “Public Enemies” was written for a “fat white male”--which is exactly why Whoopi Goldberg grabbed it.

“She really looks for different roles, parts she wouldn’t be expected to play,” said producer Len Hill. “If you wrote a role for Whoopi, you could almost be sure she wouldn’t be interested.”

It may shoot in September with Bud Yorkin directing. Story line: When two top detectives are executed gangland-style, a very reluctant, conservative-style cop (Travolta) is paired with a “gung-ho, Rambo-esque rookie” (Goldberg) to try bumblingly to solve the murders. Hill calls it “Abbott and Costello in ‘The French Connection.’ ”

Any romance? Yes, said Hill, but “not necessarily” between the two stars.