Winkler to Direct 'HOME OF THE BRAVE' to Topline Samuel L. Jackson

Winkler to Direct 'HOME OF THE BRAVE' to Topline Samuel L. Jackson

Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson and Christina Ricci Also Set to Star

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Oscar winner Irwin Winkler will begin his next project as director with the upcoming drama HOME OF THE BRAVE, set to star Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson ("Pulp Fiction"), Jessica Biel ("7th Heaven"), Christina Ricci ("The Opposite of Sex"), Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson ("Get Rich or Die Tryin'"), and Brian Presley (winner of Best Actor for "Guarding Eddy" at the Boston International Film Festival). Joining Winkler on this film are producers Rob Cowan ("Life as a House", "De-Lovely") and George Furla ("Narc"), executive producer Randy Emmett and associate producer Julie Milstead. Tony Pierce-Roberts ("De-Lovely", "Howards End") will serve as director of photography. Principal photography is set to begin on March 6 in Morocco and later in Spokane, Washington.

HOME OF THE BRAVE is a look at the lives of three soldiers who struggle to readjust to normal life after returning home from a lengthy tour in Iraq. Samuel L. Jackson will play a doctor who tries to resume his daily routine, only to find his life unraveling. Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson will play a troubled veteran having difficulty readjusting to civilian life.

Jessica Biel joins the cast from the long-running television series "7th Heaven" and films such as "The Rules of Attraction" and "Ulee's Gold". Grammy winner and multiplatinum-selling artist Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson continues his foray into dramatic features following his film debut in Jim Sheridan's "Get Rich or Die Tryin'." Golden Globe-nominated Christina Ricci is known for her roles in films such as "The Addams Family" and her critically acclaimed performances in "The Opposite Sex" directed by Don Roos, and "Monster" opposite Charlize Theron.

One of the industry's most respected and honored filmmakers, Winkler's films have garnered 4 Best Picture nominations ("Rocky," "Raging Bull," "The Right Stuff," "Goodfellas"), winning with "Rocky" in 1976. Winkler made his directorial debut in l989 with the political thriller "Guilty By Suspicion" starring Robert DeNiro and Annette Bening, and followed with such films as "Night and the City" starring Robert De Niro and Jessica Lange, "The Net" starring Sandra Bullock and "At First Sight", the critically acclaimed "Life As a House" and most recently the Golden Globe and Grammy nominated "De-Lovely". In total, Winkler's filmography has amassed 12 Academy Awards(R) and 45 nominations. His other outstanding film credits include: "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?", "New York, New York", "True Confessions", "Round Midnight", "The Strawberry Statement, "Point Blank", "The New Centurions", "Betrayed" and "Music Box".

HOME OF THE BRAVE is expected for release in late 2006.

Source: Irwin Winkler

CONTACT: Ronni Chasen, +1-310-274-4400, for Irwin Winkler

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