According to the Reporter, Ryan Phillippe and Abbie Cornish (hmmm...) and Sean Bean have boarded Last Battle Dreamer, a Viking epic pegged as "a love story written in fire and blood" — just like my blog!.... Leonardo DiCaprio is circling producer Scott Rudin's forthcoming adaptation of the Robert Graves novel I, Claudius.... Per Variety, Jeff Daniels and Neal McDonough have joined Traitor, an espionage thriller starring Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce.... Christini Ricci's oft-postponed Penelope will premiere her profound proboscis on Feb. 1, 2008.
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Question: I love your column and the rational insight you provide. I have been blown away by Gregory Itzin's performance on 24 — we've seen him swing from an indecisive wuss to an I, Claudius-type schemer. His portrayal and mannerisms also remind me of an obsessed Jimmy Stewart, like in Vertigo. Do you think he has a shot at being nominated for an Emmy for best supporting actor? Though I'd love to see Terry O'Quinn win this year, I wouldn't mind seeing credit given where it is due.
Answer: You and me both. (And loved the I, Claudius reference. They don't make TV like that anymore, though I was jazzed that HBO just made it official that Season 2 of Rome is under way.) The deterrent to Gregory Itzin landing his well-deserved nomination is the strength of the drama field in general, as well as 24's inability up to now to land any acting nominations in the supporting categories, though many have deserved them. Given the media attention Itzin is now enjoying (again, deservedly), he has ...
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