Pretty President?

Known for his activism--and films like “The Candidate” and “All the President’s Men”--Robert Redford is about to star in what casting materials call “a modern-day romantic fairy tale comedy” about . . . the U.S. presidency.

Part of a rush to escapist fare in troubled times?

Not at all, Redford relays through a publicist. While “The President Elopes” is a romantic comedy, he explains, “it deals with important and serious issues” and is not “an attack on the presidency.”

The storyline has Redford as a White House widower who finds he’s lost touch with his young son, as well as “the people.” He ultimately hits the road, incognito, and makes some surprising discoveries with the help of a gutsy, outspoken young woman.

Fred Schepisi will direct for Universal, tentatively in April, on locations in Washington and the Midwest. Redford, a co-producer, became involved with the project four years ago. To date, several writers have made contributions.

Redford feels it’s premature to say much about the picture, since there’s no final script and no other stars signed.

“One fact you can be sure of is that we will not trivialize the presidency,” he says. “We are too sensitive to that. It is too important.”