BEAU BRIDGES, JAMES COBURN, DAN HEDAYA, JAMES EARL JONES, DENIS LEARY, ELIZABETH PENA AND RON PERLMAN TO STAR IN HBO PICTURES COMEDY THE SECOND CIVIL WAR.

LOS ANGELES, CA, Sept.16, 1996-- Beau Bridges ("Without Warning: The James Brady Story"), James Coburn ("The Nutty Professor"), Dan Hedaya ("Clueless"), James Earl Jones ("Patriot Games"), Denis Leary ("The Ref"), Elizabeth Pe-a ("Lone Star") and Ron Perlman ("The Island of Dr. Moreau") have been cast in HBO Pictures' THE SECOND CIVIL WAR, a black comedy about race relations, rebellion and the American Dream run amok -- and televised as a primetime news event, it was announced today by Richard Waltzer, senior vice president, HBO Pictures. THE SECOND CIVIL WAR begins production later this month in and around Los Angeles.

HBO Pictures presents a Baltimore Films Production of a Joe Dante film, THE SECOND CIVIL WAR. Barry Levinson ("Disclosure," "Good Morning, Vietnam," "Rain Man") is the executive producer. Joe Dante ("Gremlins," "The 'Burbs") directs from a script by Martyn Burke (HBO Pictures' "Sugartime"). Guy Riedel (HBO Pictures' "Norma Jean and Marilyn," "The Waterdance") is the producer.

"THE SECOND CIVIL WAR explores the uncomfortable possibility that the U.S. is rapidly becoming a third-world country, and continues HBO Pictures' tradition of entertaining filmmaking with social and political commentary," said Waltzer. "We are very excited to be working with Barry Levinson and such an outstanding cast on this unique film, which deals with the dark realities of the American Dream. The ideals of freedom and liberty for all have been overwhelmed by a multitude of social, cultural and political contingents that this country has failed to understand or deal with effectively."

"We were once a melting pot. Now we're just into meltdown," Levinson said. "THE SECOND CIVIL WAR is a dark comedic look at our inability to function as a republic."

Set in the not-too-distant future, the film begins when the Governor of Idaho declares his state's borders closed as a planeload of orphaned refugees from Pakistan are heading that way. Fed up with immigration policies that have transformed the nation into a tumultuous melting pot, the governor vows to keep the American way of life intact and even threatens to secede from the union if the federal govermnent responds to his blockade with force. The White House, fearful of election-year reprisals and ever mindful of political correctness, counters with a 67-hour deadline for lifting the blockade -- or else. As the two sides square off, anarchy reigns in the streets, and in the newsroom, as the giant NewsNet goes behind the scenes to cover what may well become the television news event of the century.

Beau Bridges portrays Governor Farley of Idaho, whose decision to close the borders of his state sparks the civil conflict. Bridges' credits include HBO Pictures' "The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom" (for which he won an Emmy), HBO Pictures' "Without Warning: The James Brady Story" (for which he won an Emmy and a Golden Globe), "The Fabulous Baker Boys," "Norma Rae" and "Witness for the Prosecution."

James Coburn, one of Hollywood's most versatile acting legends, plays Jack Buchan, the president's confidant and public relations guru. Coburn recently appeared in the films "The Nutty Professor" and "Eraser," and will be seen in the upcoming HBO Pictures production "The Cherokee Kid." Coburn has more than 50 films to his credit, including "The Great Escape," "Our Man Flint," "The President's Analyst" and "The Magnificent Seven."

Dan Hedaya plays Mel Burgess, a television news producer who doesn't allow the truth to interfere with his station's coverage of the biggest news story of the century. Hedaya has appeared in such films as "The First Wives Club," "Clueless," "Nixon," "The Usual Suspects," "The Addams Family," "Blood Simple," "Benny & Joon," "For Love or Money," "Mr. Wonderful," "Reckless" and "Running Scared." Hedaya is perhaps best known for his character Nick Tortelli on the hit television series "Cheers" and its spin-off, "The Tortellis."

James Earl Jones plays Jim Kalla, who, after a lifelong career as a respected TV news reporter, doubts the ethics of news reporting as he covers the hot news story. Jones' credits include "Patriot Games," "Gang Related," "Cry, the Beloved Country," "The Hunt for Red October," "Field of Dreams," "Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb," "Return of the Jedi," "Coming to America" and "Heat Wave" and "Gabriel's Fire" (both of which earned him Emmys).

Denis Leary has been cast as Vinnie Franco, a gonzo-crazy television news producer who goes behind Idaho enemy lines to get the real story. Leary's credits include "Wide Awake," "Underworld," "The Neon Bible," "The Ref," "The Sandlot," "Who's the Man?," "Judgment Night" and "Gunmen."

Elizabeth Pe-a, who plays television reporter Christina Fernandez (and Governor Farley's object of desire), recently appeared in the critically-acclaimed John Sayles film "Lone Star." Her other credits include "Gridlock," "Dead Funny," "Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home," "The Waterdance," "La Bamba" and "Down and Out in Beverly Hills."

Ron Perlman is Alan Manieski, a senior news editor who is constantly concerned with ethics and morality. Perlman's credits include "The Island of Dr. Moreau," "The Last Supper," "The City of Lost Children," "The Adventures of Huck Finn," "Romeo Is Bleeding," "Crime and Punishment" and "Stephen King's Sleepwalkers."

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