Mykelti Williamson
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BirthDate BirthPlace |
03/03/1960
St. Louis, MO |
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Raylan Returns: What to Know Before 'Justified' Debuts, Guns Blazing
January 08, 2013 6:14am ESTSigh. It feels like it was only yesterday when we last left Raylan Givens and co., with his nemesis Quarles lying on the ground with a bloody stump, and Raylan himself bleeding from the inside due to the several emotional wounds opened by various members of his family. But it wasn't, and tonight, Justified will make its triumphant Season 4 return — complete with snakes, flashbacks, and Twitter-happy comedians. Hollywood.com was able to attend Justified's premiere in Los Angeles last week, and we're here to fill you in on what you missed last season, and to mercilessly tease you with quotes from the stars on what's to come. Read on, hill people! Where We Left Off: Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) was already having a pretty rough go of it — his pregnant on-again-off-again Winona (Natalie Zea) left him, and began trolling Orbitz for flights to Costa Rica. His arch-nemesis Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) was finally in jail for murdering his former associate, but he was released when Raylan's own father, Arlo (Raymond J. Barry), confessed to the crime — effectively choosing his buddy-in-crime over his son. Things were (sort of?) looking up when Season 3's big bad Quarles (Neal McDonough) got his arm hacked off by Limehouse (Mykelti Williamson), but the pale bastard used up his last words telling Raylan that Arlo only shot Trooper Tom because he mistook him for Raylan. And you thought Boyd had daddy issues? Biggest Jaw-Dropper Last Season: Well, besides the aforementioned attempted filicide, the ruthless murder of Winona's other ex-husband, Gary, was a shocker. Biggest Let-Down From Last Season: Last season was pretty stellar, but it would be nice to see Raylan's co-workers actually do something. This isn't Dexter, after all. Most Improved Character: Arlo was always interesting, but his ruthless deception and moral decrepitude was fascinating to watch, and we can't wait to see how it will continue to weigh on Raylan this season. Least Improved Character: Tim (Jacob Pitts) and Rachel (Erica Tazel), though it's not really their fault that they never have anything to do. 5 Reasons You Should Keep Watching: First, there's the fact that comedian Patton Oswalt will recur as Constable Bob, a goof from Raylan's high school class who is assigned the difficult task of watching over Arlo's house, and who not-so-secretly has a man-crush on Raylan. Then there's the mysterious backwoods "Snake Church" that Boyd, Ava and co. become involved with over the first few episodes — a plot line that Goggins wasn't initially very happy about. "I'm not scared of many things, but snakes are one of the things that I’m most scared of in the world," Goggins says. "I read [the script] and I started sweating, like I couldn’t handle it. And at one point there’s a snake in a box that I had to pick up, and that freaked me out. There’s not really anything that scares me in the way that snakes do, so yes — Walton Goggins did not want to go in that church as much as Boyd Crowder did not want to go in that church." Color us intrigued! Meanwhile, Raylan will interact with a group called the "Hill People", while also tackling a deep family mystery, which means — you guessed it — FLASHBACKS! And since Raylan/Olyphant are both sexy as f***, we were very excited to hear the following news about the Deputy Marshall's love live: "Well, [Winona] left Raylan so he’s available to f*** up his life in every which way," Olyphant says. What We Ultimately Want To See: More Dewey Crowe (Damon Herriman) and Dickie Bennett (Jeremy Davies, who won an Emmy for the role), though producer Graham Yost has hinted that their returns may not happen this year. It's a shame, because these two redneck extraordinaires steal every episode in which they appear. We'd also love to see Ava take on a larger role in the crime world, as Harlan County would be a very interesting place with the competent, fiery blonde running the show. What Would Make Us Turn Our Backs: That would be extremely difficult, as Justified has been consistently engaging throughout the last three seasons. However, we will say that we're pretty sick of the Raylan/Winona drama. Justified premieres Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 10pm on FX. Reporting by Leanne Aguilera Follow Shaunna on Twitter @HWShaunna [PHOTO CREDIT: FX] MORE: 'Justified' Gets Season 4: More Timothy Olyphant Shooting Junkies 'Justified' (Season 3) TV Stills 'Justified' Recap: Who Took the Money? From Our Partners: ’Texas Chainsaw’: Top 5 Leatherface Kills (Moviefone) Quentin Tarantino’s Most Bad-Ass Music Moments (Moviefone)
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'Justified' Recap: Harlan Roulette
January 31, 2012 8:59pm ESTS3E3: It seems as though Harlan County is a much larger place than the one to which we were introduced in the first episodes of Justified. A small-time bigot with a penchant for blowing up churches was a homecoming Raylan’s biggest problem. But these days, both Raylan and that very bigot—Boyd Crowder—have found much grander paths, involving much more dangerous people. The world of Harlan certainly does seem a lot less self-contained. With this season’s introduction of characters like Robert Quarles (Neal McDonough) and Limehouse (Mykelti Williamson), and the continued expansion of Boyd’s criminal career, it seems like Raylan’s meager hometown roots encompass vast illicit underworlds—but I suppose the initial sentiment is reinforced by constant mentions of Raylan’s unfavorable childhood interactions with each of the people he comes across. “That is why they call it ‘organized crime.’” – Quarles We met Quarles in the third season premiere, and we knew that he was on the rise as a prominent criminal figure somehow affixed to the Dixie Mafia. Quarles’, working hand in hand with Winn Duffy, lays out his intricate plan this week: via the production of a heap of fake medical credentials, his men will forge painkiller prescriptions to be filled out by addicts on their payroll. A portion of the pills obtained go to the addicts, the rest are sold for profit by Quarles’ organization. All this right before a telephone conversation with his still-unseen young son about hockey and not liking school. If I didn’t know better, I’d assume the persistently invisible son character was some kind of a red herring. There might be more going on here than just character development, or the introduction of a “soft spot” in Quarles’ heart to be played later as some kind of point of vulnerability. I predict a shock of some kind. “I know guys who killed people and got less than two years for it.” – JT “Who?” – Messer Quarles and Duffy enlist a pawnshop owner/Dixie-connection named Glenn Fogel to transport stolen merchandise; Fogel enlists Messer, the lowly fugitive we met in accordance with the Bennett family last season, and an unfortunate addict named JT. The sight of the local law pulling over passing cars convinces JT and Messer to hightail it off their route—but only the latter gets away. Fogel’s cackling lackey Walter posts JT’s bail and escorts him back to his vicious boss. As punishment for getting caught, Fogel tortures JT with the temptation of a container of pills—the price: a game of “Harlan Roulette” (it’s like Russian Roulette, only after you pull the trigger and survive, the other guy shoots you dead for nearly screwing up his operation). Fogel has Walt and Messer bury JT; Walt is no longer cackling. “Do I have to do that?” – Messer “Standing here with me, after what you’ve seen me do…do you honestly have to ask that?” – Fogel So, this racket is a heap of trouble—maniacal people calling the shots is rarely a good sign for an organization. Enter Raylan Givens, whose unflappability is as ever superhuman. Raylan works his way into the head of Fogel while investigating the pawnshop. Fogel, under orders from Quarles, has Messer invite Raylan over to his home under the pretenses of turning himself in, instead to shoot him dead. But of course, that’s impossible. Raylan is ten steps ahead of every character’s action. And as much fun as it is to watch Timothy Olyphant play the coolest customer imaginable, sometimes Justified feels like Superman when it should feel like Batman. Raylan seems to be actually invincible. Not just on the battlefield, but also in strategic game play. Yes, this is what makes him a heroic and likeable character, but if we never have to worry about him, then where are the stakes? Raylan manipulates the Dixies’ plan and has Fogel and Walt show up at Messer’s place under the suspicion that he is dead. Raylan talks them both into considering divulging information in return for their freedom, but this is where his plan backfires: a disgruntled Walt is willing to turn his maniac of a boss in, shouting incriminating evidence eagerly. Apparently, some intra-office tension has been building up for some time, and the conclusion is a lightning-speed duel wherein Fogel and Walt shoot each other in the chests right in front of a ticked off Raylan. He did manage to get the name “Winn Duffy” before the blowout, but he really could have used some more info. “When I was a kid, my old man wouldn’t let us watch Mr. Rogers or Sesame Street. He made us watch Taxi Driver.” – Quarles The name is enough to warrant a visit. Raylan busts in on a plotting Winn and Quarles, forcing the former to the ground and threatening him with death. But where Raylan is Superman, Quarles might very well be Lex Luthor. The man is as cold as our big-hatted hero, and offers Raylan the possibility that he, not Duffy, will be the victim of their next interaction. “I can’t blame you for plucking that low-hanging fruit, but the time has come for you to right this wrong.” – Boyd On the other side of the law, a liberated Boyd Crowder pays a visit to Limehouse, who, instead of paying him the Bennett money, instead takes the rotting weed off his hands for a price Boyd is willing to accept. Dissention seems to be growing in the ranks of his team, however. Devil is actively insubordinate throughout the episode—although seems pretty on board by the end. Cousin Johnny might be fostering some resentment for Boyd’s accumulation of his old bar; Johnny is still pretty resentful of his new disability, and seems to be feeling emasculated by it. Boyd’s power grab surely doesn’t help. Boyd’s empire is expanding. But Boyd is an unstable character—he’s been a Klansman, a devout Christian who abhorred the abuse of certain narcotics, and now he’s in a growing crime lord. Boyd will surely be his own undoing—perhaps even intentionally. I’m hoping he and Raylan find each other in one another’s company soon again. Their relationship is Justified’s life blood. What did you think of this week’s Justified? Do you enjoy the growing world of Harlan, or do you hope things begin to reconnect, approaching their Season 1 form? Could Quarles be the adversary the nearly invincible Raylan has needed on the show? Let us know in the comments section, or on Twitter (@MichaelArbeiter).
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New 'Justified' Clip Institutes the Dangerous Game of Harlan Roulette
January 26, 2012 5:34am ESTJustified's new season is throwing the crime underworld of Harlan County for a loop. Det. Raylan Given (Timothy Olyphant) is perpetually within arm's reach of Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), his most persistent criminal nemesis and most unlikely trusted friend. Now that Boyd is on the pursuit of the Bennett family's marijuana fortune, he'll have to deal with figures like Limehouse (Mykelti Williamson), the current possessor of the Bennett family fortune. But Boyd and Limehouse aren't Raylan's only troubles. There is, also, the small matter of the Dixie Mafia and their Oxycontin business. All this considered, Justified is gearing up for an eventful third season. Justified airs Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX. Click on the photo for our full Justified gallery.
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The Final Destination Review
August 28, 2009 11:29am ESTWHAT’S IT ABOUT? Carbon copying the already overly convoluted idea from the previous Final Destination movies the latest worst installment continues on the theme of one unlucky twentysomething being able to predict who’s going to die and when; this time it’s Nick. After attending a NASCAR race with his girlfriend Lori and their friends Hunt and Janet Nick has a premonition about an elaborate horrific accident that threatens everyone present. Naturally it comes true — and even though plenty of people die in the stands Death (you know the bogeyman) has only just begun. But Nick realizes that he might be able to save the survivors of that day by remembering the order in which they're supposed to die and warning them of their imminent demise. Unfortunately though not everyone believes him and they carry on with their dangerous activities ... like going to a hair salon or — gulp! — through a carwash. WHO’S IN IT? Up-and-coming actor Bobby Campo plays the main pretty young thing and he makes the best of what is ultimately an untenable and God-awful role to have to accept. Still fresh faces capable of pulling off his part are a dime a dozen and Destination’s past leads like Mary Elizabeth Winstead at least left us feeling their fear. Supporting actresses Shantel VanSanten as Lori and Haley Webb as Janet are there for little more than eye candy and ear-shredding screams while former MTV 'It' dude Nick Zano as the obnoxious clichéd — and obnoxiously clichéd — Hunt can’t even provide the occasional comic relief for which he was brought on. The lone bright spot comes courtesy of an evidently desperate-for-work Mykelti Williamson (aka Bubba in Forrest Gump) who plays a widowed security guard adding a shred of cred to the otherwise disposable cast (which includes a barely there Krista Allen). WHAT’S GOOD? Clocking in at a mercifully brisk hour and 15 minutes the makers of TFD find one way to not essentially call us stupid: They know we want our scares quickly and they deliver — except for actually scaring us. Aside from its running time the aforementioned credible performance by Williamson is literally all the movie has going for it. WHAT’S BAD? Wow where to begin? Destination another in a loooong line of wholly unnecessary sequels is riddled with problems — from the are-you-kidding-me? “special” effects (even in 3-D) to the jaw-droppingly horrendous writing. Director David R. Ellis (helmer of the infinitely better Final Destination 2) should bear much of the blame. He seems uninterested in delivering anything that people go to the movies for; this Destination is nothing more than tenuously connected scenes of video-game-like deaths that try to one-up each other. And not one of the sequences is even mildly suspenseful or scary — just disturbing in the sense that some people will actually smirk in earnest at the cartoonishness of it all. The writing though is the real culprit. Eric Bress’ (also an FD2 alum) script is incredibly unimaginative merely recycling similar but better executed scenarios from the three previous movies and swapping out the settings. With ideas so bad Bress makes it abundantly clear that there’s no inane death massacre left to explore at this point; it's basically a metaphorical surrender. And yet the dialogue is even worse — with stock stereotypical block characters muttering it to boot. LEAST FAVORITE SCENE? Not to completely give it away — lest we make the movie predictable! — but one of the death scenes is just so far beyond ridiculous that it transcends even sarcastic laughter. Hint: It involves water and it’s about midway through the movie … if you dare stay that long. PARTING SHOT Even if you’re not a cinephile and you couldn’t care less about things like character depth and plot development and you’re looking for a very quick thrill The Final Destination is well beneath you. It makes recent straight-to-DVD releases look like fully coherent masterpieces. Whether in 3-D or 2-D it’s a mustn't-see!
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August Rush Review
November 21, 2007 7:49am ESTFor the past 11 years--his whole life--Evan (Freddie Highmore) has been an orphan but that’s about to change along with his name. Evan has "always heard the music " even when it’s not playing and one day he decides to follow it in hopes of finding the parents he’s never met and whose musical genes he has inherited. It takes him out of the orphanage he has always despised and into Manhattan where 11 years prior he was conceived. As we learn via flashback his parents both young musicians at the time were an unlikely match: Lyla (Keri Russell) was a shy dainty cellist while Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) was a brash Irish rocker. Their mutual love for music ultimately brought them together on a rooftop for just one night of which Evan turned out to be the product. But when Evan is born prematurely Lyla’s father (William Sadler) does what he thinks is right for her career and gives the newborn up for adoption without her knowledge. Lyla and Louis have since reluctantly given up music but Evan is about to pick up where they left off in New York City. While there he is discovered by a seemingly well-intentioned "manager" named Wizard (Robin Williams) who renames the prodigy August Rush. Before long Wizard is booking gigs in hopes of capitalizing financially while August hopes to use his music for a slightly nobler purpose: tracking down and reuniting his parents. Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate) is as much a child-actor prodigy as August Rush is a musician; he’s truly in a class of his own. It’s not just that the British youngster seamlessly ditches his accent to play an American—better and more undetectably than many of his elders are able to do might I add—or that he’s able to pull off the musical aspect (he reportedly mastered the guitar and conducting for further authenticity) but rather that he advances the never-dormant story every step of the way. And it’s not every day that a teenager can handle being the centerpiece of a big Hollywood movie (see The Seeker et al.) but Highmore makes it a non-issue. Russell and Rhys Meyers meanwhile add a classy touch of adult to the story with their opposites-attract arc. Russell borders on too pristine and precious at times and Rhys Meyers is written as the stereotype of Irishmen but they make you believe in the commonality of music as a matchmaker. Williams however misfires with his portrayal of the somewhat ambiguous Wizard. It is unclear whether he is a reincarnated pirate or just a well-traveled New Yorker and Williams plays him with that lack of clarity but kids will laugh nonetheless when the actor gets loud and hyper. Terrence Howard as a concerned social worker and Mykelti Williamson as a pastor turn in solid supporting performances while young Jamia Simone Nash may incite standing ovations with her singing. The concept of August Rush is most certainly aimed towards those too young to discern between realism and fantasy but at least director Kirsten Sheridan (Jim’s daughter) doesn’t patronize kid viewers the way most preteen movies do. While the young director doesn’t exactly steer clear of clichés and sap she makes a concerted effort to place the film’s music and sheer energy at the forefront. Sheridan also does the best with what she’s given which is a highly predictable occasionally preachy script—with a tendency to give Highmore cringe-worthy voiceovers (i.e. “Open yourself up to the music around you”)—written by Nick Castle (Hook which August Rush often resembles) James V. Hart (The Last Mimzy) and Paul Castro. Just as impressive as the film’s omnipresent music—both “found” (basketball dribbles etc.) and orchestrated—is the look of a somewhat magical Manhattan that is as fun for kids as it is mildly scary. All in all Sheridan’s first big movie is a different if slightly uneven kind of kids flick but not so different that the target audience won’t dance along.
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Lucky Number Slevin Review
April 07, 2006 5:28am ESTWhat starts out as a case of mistaken identity turns into a war between two of New York’s most rival crime bosses: The Rabbi (Ben Kingsley) and The Boss (Morgan Freeman). They both believe laid-back Slevin (Josh Hartnett) staying at his absent friend’s apartment is the guy who owes them money--and they both set about to make sure he pays them back one way or another. The happy-go-lucky girl next door (Lucy Liu) tries to help Slevin unravel the mystery but the whole mistaken identity thing gets him into even more hot water when a relentless detective (Stanley Tucci) hounds him--and an infamous assassin Goodkat (Bruce Willis) tracks him. Looks like Slevin is going to have to come up with his own ingenious plot to get himself out of this fine mess he’s in. And I do mean ingenious. With character names such as “The Rabbi ” “The Boss ” “Goodkat ” and “The Girl Next Door” you know you’re in for some style over substance which is probably why the script attracted such a top-notch cast. Josh Hartnett (who starred in Slevin director Paul McGuigan’s weirdly romantic Wicker Park) tries something different as the affable Slevin a guy who seems pretty smooth on the surface but who has some seriously twisted ulterior motives. Liu also veers from her usual icy villainess to play Slevin’s kooky love interest bouncing all over the screen like a pinball. Willis revisits his Jackal character but adds a certain panache to the hit man role. And then there’s Kingsley and Freeman. As the Rabbi Kingsley deliciously chews things up while Freeman deftly plays his usual understated self as the Boss. When these two have their one and only confrontation the Oscar winners show us exactly what acting is all about. Lucky Number Slevin is a bit of an enigma. It starts off shaky. You feel like you’re watching something you’ve seen done a million times before: Mistaken identity quirky crime lords who want him dead the bumblin’ cop the hardened assassin. But in the capable hands of Scottish director Paul McGuigan(Gangster No. 1) things aren’t what they appear to be and soon you are thoroughly involved forgiving its formulaic beginning. Much like the recent Inside Man this is yet another excellent example of taking something prescribed and turning it on its ear. Of course much of the intelligence comes from the smartly written script by Jason Smilovic who supplies the actors with plenty of juicy mouthfuls. But Slevin makes you think. It makes you want to find the clues so you can figure out the puzzle. Or if you didn’t catch the clue have it shown to you in an inventive way. Thank god independent film these days offers such new and resourceful ways to watch staid themes.
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ATL Review
March 31, 2006 9:20am ESTAfter the death of their parents Rashad (Tip "T.I." Harris) and his younger brother Ant (Evan Ross) have to fend for themselves. Trying not to think about his pending high school graduation Rashad works as a janitor for his stingy uncle (Mykelti Williamson) and hangs out with his friends practicing for the Skate Wars competition at their local roller rink. Ant however approaches life differently after he hooks up with Marcus (Big Boi) a big-time drug dealer in the area. Marcus recruits Ant to do his dirty work and the kid gets himself tangled up in the harsh world of drugs money and violence. It’s up to his older brother to get him out of it and finally steer him in the right direction. ATL proves some rapper-turned-actors can indeed be in a movie not based on their real lives. Known as “The King of the South” in the rap world T.I. displays some notable acting skills. Born and raised in the ATL (that’s Atlanta to us lay folk) his southern slang and cool demeanor lend credibility. As well Big Boi (half of the Atlanta-based hip-hop group OutKast) does a nice job giving his drug lord character multi-layers. He plays it smooth recruiting high school kids and promising them more money then they have ever seen. When they don’t pay up he then turns on a dime and becomes quite menacing. And watch out for Evan Ross the youngest son of the legendary Diana Ross. In his debut performance as Ant he tugs at your heart even when you’re hoping Rashad will smack him for the bad choices he makes. Music video director Chris Robinson makes his feature directing debut with ATL a story loosely based on ATL producers Dallas Austin and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins’ (of TLC fame) experiences growing up in Atlanta. With many of the hottest hip-hop artists coming out of Atlanta Robinson--along with first-time screenwriter Tina Gordon Chism--impressively incorporates the music without focusing on it. Sure the soundtrack crunks it up but this is not a film about a wannabe rapper trying to make it out of the ‘hood and into the spotlight. There aren’t any lengthy shootouts and no one dies. Instead ATL interweaves compelling themes of family dynamics rich vs. poor--and even a roller skating motif which seems to come out of left field but provides some fun moments. ATL is a breath of fresh air for a hip-hop movie that isn't about hip-hop.
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TV News: "Raymond" Heads Into Final Season; CBS Wins Sweeps; Chris Rock, Steve Martin Get Pilots
March 03, 2004 8:39am ESTMoney issues aside, it looks like CBS' Everybody Loves Raymond will be returning for a ninth and final season, although its not completely official yet. According to the Hollywood Reporter, sources say series creator Phil Rosenthal and star Ray Romano have agreed to go for a ninth season but will most likely shorten the order to less than the full 22-episodes. With a shortened season, however, CBS will have to work out new salary deals for Romano, who currently ranks as primetime's highest paid star at nearly $2 million per episode, as well as co-stars Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts. CBS chief Leslie Moonves said Tuesday he would only say that he's "very guardedly optimistic" that the network's top-rated sitcom will be back next season. Sweeps news Meanwhile, CBS claimed a victory for total viewership during the February sweeps week (Feb. 5-Mar. 3), which came to a close Wednesday, while NBC looks to be the winner in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic, the trade paper reports. CBS won the period by its widest February margin in a decade with 14.1 million viewers, up 1 percent from the year-ago period, followed by NBC (12.1 million, down 3 percent), ABC (10.3 million, unchanged) and Fox (9.3 million, down 23 percent). UPN and the WB Network were tied at 3.9 million viewers, with UPN up 7 percent from year-ago and WB off 10 percent. NBC held onto its grip on the adults 18-49 crown after losing to Fox and the Joe Millionaire phenomenon in last year's February sweeps. The runner up, however, is expected to be a tie between CBS and Fox, according to the Reporter. But Fox could pull ahead by a hair if this week's regularly scheduled editions of American Idol bring in the big numbers. In other TV news… Fox has ordered comedy pilots from Chris Rock and Steve Martin, and has cast Andy Richter as the father of quintuplets in a sitcom, the trade paper reports. The untitled Rock project is described as an autobiographical coming-of-age comedy loosely based on his experience growing up "on the nicest block in the ghetto," while Martin is executive producing a pilot about a multigenerational Cuban-American family in Miami, as seen through the eyes of a 16-year-old boy. Richter, Conan O'Brien's former sidekick who starred in Fox's short-lived comedy Andy Richter Controls the Universe, is trying it again with an untitled comedy centered on 15-year-old quintuplets living in a three-bedroom suburban house. In other pilot casting news, Dominic Monaghan, Ian Somerhalder, Jorge Garcia and Evangeline Lilly will play castaways in J.J. Abrams' drama Lost for ABC…Mykelti Williamson is close to joining ABC's drama The Secret Service, which revolves around a married woman (Sarah Wayne Callies) who works for the clandestine government agency…Marisa Coughlan (Super Troopers) has been tapped as the lead in ABC's Kat Plus One, about a young New York publicist whose life turns upside down when she has to raise her nephew (Jimmy Bennett) after his parents suddenly die.
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ROLE CALL: Depp and Clooney Bang A Gong
May 08, 2001 4:19am ESTLooks like the on-again, off-again "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" is finally ready to get it on. Daily Variety reports that Johnny Depp is in final talks to star in the project, which is a biopic based on the autobiography of Chuck Barris, aka "The Gong Show" host, who says that he also worked for the CIA. Adding more weight to the offbeat film would be George Clooney, who might join Depp in a co-starring role as a CIA recruiting agent. The project will be directed by "X-Men's" Bryant Singer and is written by "Being John Malkovich" scribe Charlie Kaufman. GETTING THE 'JOB' DONE: Kevin Costner will reunite with "Bull Durham" and "Tin Cup" helmer Ron Shelton in the action thriller "Two Guys on the Job," Variety says. The story is about two San Francisco cops who begin as partners but eventually become bitter enemies. Costner will play one of the cops, and another 40ish actor will soon be cast for the other part. GOING RINGSIDE: The "Ali" biopic cast keeps on growing and growing and growing. The latest to get enlisted to the Michael Mann project is Jon Voight, who'll play the late boxing commentator Howard Cosell. The actor will join a group of talents that includes Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Mario Van Peebles, Mykelti Williamson and Ron Silver. G MONEY: "Charlie's Angels" helmer McG is developing a new action flick called "Airshow," which follows two elite fighter pilots from the Persian Gulf War, Variety says. Also in the works for McG, aka Joseph McGinty Nichol, will be the "Charlie's Angels" sequel and the military thriller "Dreadnaught."
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ROLE CALL: Zeta-Jones Talks 'Trust'
March 19, 2001 11:51am ESTCatherine Zeta-Jones knows how important trust is. The new Mrs. Michael Douglas will star in the thriller "Trust," a project that is said by Daily Variety to be in the vein of 1987's "Fatal Attraction." Originally a British miniseries, "Trust" will follow a lawyer living in New York who discovers that her psychiatrist hubby is having an affair with one of his patients. KING OF THE 'CASTLE': "The Legend of Bagger Vance" helmer and actor Robert Redford might return to the front of the camera in "The Castle," a drama directed by "The Contender's" Rod Lurie, Variety says. The project, which centers on an imprisoned five-star general as he rallies other prisoners into a mutiny, is also in discussions with Mark Wahlberg for a co-starring role. 'SHOW' TIME: Variety also says that Ethan Hawke, Carla Gugino and Frank Whaley have all signed on to the indie flick "The Jimmy Show," about a New Jersey guy who embarks on a doomed career in stand-up comedy. Hawke's last screen role was in last year's "Hamlet" with Julia Stiles. 'BARK' IF YOU'RE HAPPY: Lisa Kudrow, Hank Azaria and Vincent D'Onofrio will star in the romantic comedy "Bark," Variety tells us. The film is about a young woman who has a nervous breakdown and believes that she's a dog. 'GUEST' LIST: "That '70s Show" dude Ashton Kutcher might star in the film "The Guest," The Hollywood Reporter says. Kutcher -- who will be seen in the upcoming "Dude, Where's My Car?" alongside "Road Trip's" Seann William Scott -- would play a guy who tries to woo the daughter of his boss in the new project. SHALL WE 'DANCE': James Coburn might join Cuba Gooding Jr. in the adventure pic "Winterdance," the Reporter informs. Based on the 1994 novel by Gary Paulsen, the story is an autobiographical account of the writer's participation in a gruesome dogsled race in Alaska. Gooding will play the part of the dogsled racer and Coburn would play his estranged father. LAST ROUND: Mykelti Williamson might play boxing promoter Don King in the "Ali" biopic, the Reporter says. The project stars Will Smith as the titular boxer and is expected to go into production next month.
