Principal Photography Begins in Baltimore on Warner Bros.' and Bel Air Entertainment's Comedy, "The Replacements," Starring Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman

Company Press Release

Warner Bros. Will Distribute Film Worldwide

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 6, 1999-- Production will begin Monday, Aug. 9, in Baltimore on Warner Bros.' and Bel Air Entertainment's "The Replacements," a comedy starring Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman and Brooke Langton for distribution by Warner Bros.

The announcement was made today by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the studio's president of Worldwide Theatrical Production.

"The Replacements" tells of a mismatched crew of outsiders who get a second chance at greatness when they are recruited to play pro football after the regular team goes on strike. As they amaze everyone with their winning streak, the ragtag group discovers in itself the ability to dream bigger.

Howard Deutch directs the film, which is produced by Dylan Sellers, written by Vince McKewin and Mark Steven Johnson, and executive produced by Steven Reuther, Erwin Stoff and Jeffrey Chernov. Jon Favreau ("Swingers"), Rhys Ifans ("Notting Hill") and Orlando Jones ("Liberty Heights") also star.

Filming sites include PSI Net Stadium in Baltimore, the use of which was obtained through the cooperation and assistance of the Governor's Film Office. Stated Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening: "Maryland has a reputation as an excellent location for film production, with outstanding locations, a skilled technical and creative workforce and a supportive business community. This business support is particularly critical, and I commend the Maryland Stadium Authority for their efforts in bringing this film to our state."

Keanu Reeves has become one of Hollywood's box-office superstars. He can currently be seen in the worldwide smash hit "The Matrix." Previously, he achieved acclaim for his starring role in the mega-hit "Speed."

Reeves recently starred in "The Devil's Advocate" opposite Al Pacino, "Chain Reaction" and "Feeling Minnesota." He also co-starred with Denzel Washington, Emma Thompson, Michael Keaton and Kenneth Branagh in "Much Ado About Nothing." Earlier, he was seen in "Bram Stoker's Dracula," "My Own Private Idaho," "Point Break" and "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey," the sequel to the very popular "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." One of his first roles was in "Dangerous Liaisons" alongside Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Gene Hackman has won two Academy Awards, as Best Supporting Actor for his role as the deadly sheriff in "Unforgiven," and as Best Actor for his work as Popeye Doyle in "The French Connection." He was also nominated for Academy Awards for his performances in "Mississippi Burning," "I Never Sang For My Father" and "Bonnie and Clyde."

Hackman's more recent film credits include "Enemy of the State," opposite Will Smith; "The Quick and the Dead" with Sharon Stone; "Crimson Tide" with Denzel Washington; "Get Shorty," opposite John Travolta; "The Chamber"; "The Birdcage" with Robin Williams; "Extreme Measures"; "Absolute Power" opposite Clint Eastwood; "Twilight" opposite Paul Newman and Susan Sarandon; "Under Suspicion"; and, as the voice of General Mandible, in the animated feature "Antz."

Hackman made his screen debut in the 1964 film "Lilith" with Warren Beatty. His early screen appearances include "Hawaii," "A Covenant with Death," "First to Fight," "The Gypsy Moths," "Downhill Racer" and "Marooned."

In the 1970s, his films included "Doctors' Wives," "The Hunting Party," "Cisco Pike," "Prime Cut," "The Poseidon Adventure," "Scarecrow," "The Conversation," "Zandy's Bride," "Young Frankenstein," "Bite the Bullet," "The French Connection II," "Night Moves," "Lucky Lady," "The Domino Principle," "A Bridge Too Far," "March or Die," "Superman," "All Night Long" and a cameo appearance in "Reds."

Hackman's films of the '80s include "Under Fire," "Uncommon Valor," "Twice in a Lifetime," "Hoosiers," "Another Woman," "Bat-21" and "No Way Out," in which he starred opposite Kevin Costner, and "Superman" II and IV.

During this decade, Hackman has starred in "Narrow Margin," "Postcards from the Edge," "Class Action," "The Firm" and "Geronimo." He returned to Broadway in the Mike Nichols production of "Death and the Maiden" with Glenn Close and Richard Dreyfuss.

Brooke Langton is probably best known to audiences for her role as Samantha on the hit series "Melrose Place" and for her role in the sleeper success "Swingers." Her other film credits include "In Aurora," "Terminal Velocity," "The Visitors," "Ink," "Reach the Rock," "Atomic Highway" and "Playing Mona Lisa."

On television, she has played additional leading roles on series including "The Net," "The Single Guy," "Party of Five," "Chicago Hope" and "Extreme," and in such movies-of-the-week as "Mother's Deception" and "Young Indy."

Director Howard Deutch made an auspicious feature-film directorial debut with the hit coming-of-age film "Pretty in Pink," starring Molly Ringwald. He has since directed the romantic comedy "Some Kind of Wonderful," starring Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart Masterson and Lea Thompson; the comedy "The Great Outdoors," teaming Dan Aykroyd and the late John Candy; the controversial drama "Article 99," starring Ray Liotta; "Getting Even With Dad," starring Ted Danson and Macaulay Culkin; "Grumpier Old Men," starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret and Sophia Loren; and "The Odd Couple II."

Deutch was honored with a CableACE Award for the "Dead Right" of the HBO anthology series "Tales From the Crypt," which starred Demi Moore. Deutch directed another episode for the series, as well as the pilot episode of the runaway hit series "Melrose Place" and several episodes of the hit series "Caroline in the City."

Producer Dylan Sellers' film credits include Warner Bros.' "Passenger 57," which starred Wesley Snipes; "The Music of Chance"; "The Paper," which starred Michael Keaton; and "Out to Sea," which paired Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.

Contact:

Warner Bros. Inc., Burbank
818/954-6217