James Caan, Lukas Haas, Lisa Bonet, David Strathairn and Sheila Mccarthy Star in the A&E Original Movie "Lathe of Heaven" Directed by Philip Haas, and Based On the Novel by Ursula K. Leguin.

Entertainment Editors

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 19, 2002

If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme

When you wish upon a star, as dreamers do ...

Like a bolt out of the blue, fate steps in and sees you through

When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true ...

From "When You Wish Upon A Star,"

by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington 

One man has the power to mold life as

we know it, through his dreams. The

other learns to manipulate his mind.

What could possibly go wrong?

Every time George Orr wakes up, the world is a different place, changed by his own dreams. Does his beautiful attorney believe him? Is his self-centered psychiatrist even looking for a cure? Why does the new doorman look so familiar? And, what are those government agents doing in the lobby?

James Caan, Lukas Haas, Lisa Bonet, David Strathairn and Sheila McCarthy star in the A&E Original Movie, "LATHE OF HEAVEN," based on novelist Ursula K. LeGuin's modern masterpiece of supernatural suspense. The two-hour movie, directed by Philip Haas, makes its World Premiere Sunday, September 8th at 8pm ET&PT/7pm CT on A&E.

Cursed with a singular -- and thoroughly unwanted -- ability to alter everything through his dreams, George Orr (Lukas Haas) refuses to sleep, and nearly drugs himself to death. His court appointed therapist, Dr. William Haber (James Caan), launches upon this unique opportunity to jettison his own dronish existence, and remake the world to match his personal vision of utopia. The result is an ever-changing reality, leading to increasingly hazardous consequences. Quietly bolstered by his continually supportive sidekick Mannie (David Strathairn), and ultimately revived by his initially skeptical attorney Heather Lelache (Lisa Bonet), George confronts global warfare, world-wide epidemics, and violent social upheaval in his simple quest for a good night's sleep.

One of the screen's most commanding actors, Caan has appeared in nearly 70 motion pictures since his debut in 1962, following numerous stage and television performances. Caan began to emerge as a major Hollywood talent with early films like The Rain People and Rabbit, Run. Then, the combination of his poignant portrayal of real-life football star Brian Piccolo in the 1970 television movie Brian's Song and his Academy Award-nominated performance as "Sonny" in The Godfather two years later, launched him into superstardom. Since then, Caan's films have included Cinderella Liberty, Rollerball, Hide In Plain Sight (which he also directed), Gardens of Stone, Alien Nation, Misery, Honeymoon In Vegas, Flesh and Bone and Mickey Blue Eyes.

Since beginning his career in 1983 as a child actor in motion pictures such as Testament and Witness, Lukas Haas has appeared in nearly 30 films, including Rambling Rose, Boys, Leap of Faith, Woody Allen's Everyone Says I Love You, Tim Burton's Mars Attacks and Alan Rudolph's Breakfast of Champions.

Lisa Bonet first found fame in the hit comedy series "The Cosby Show" and it's spin-off "A Different World." On screen, she recently co-starred in Enemy Of The State opposite Will Smith, and High Fidelity with John Cusack. She also starred in Alan Parker's "Angel Heart" opposite Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro. Bonet will next co-produce and star in an original film for Walt Disney Pictures.

Since his 1984 film debut in Iceman, David Strathairn has appeared in nearly 30 motion pictures, including A League of Their Own, The Firm and L.A. Confidential. His films for director John Sayles have included Passion Fish and City of Hope. Acclaimed for her work on stage as well as television and film, Sheila McCarthy (Penny) has appeared in numerous motion pictures, including The Lotus Eaters, Stepping Out and Die Hard II. She recently co-wrote and produced the made-for-television movie Virtual Mom, in which she co-starred with Debbie Reynolds.

The movie marks the first television project for noted film director Philip Haas. Among his credits are The Music Of Chance, which he and his wife Belinda Haas adapted from the novel by Paul Auster; Up At The Villa starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Sean Penn; and the cult favorite Angels And Insects.

Renowned author and National Book Award winner Ursula K. LeGuin has published more than 30 works of science fiction, essays, poetry, short stories and juvenile fiction. Among her novels are The Left Hand of Darkness, Malafrena and The Compass Rose.

"LATHE OF HEAVEN" is an A&E Network and Alliance Atlantis presentation in association with Baumgarten Merims Productions. Alliance Atlantis also partnered with A&E on THE BIG HEIST, starring Donald Sutherland. "LATHE OF HEAVEN" is directed by Philip Haas (Up at the Villa); the executive producers are Craig Baumgarten (Hook, Jade and Nowhere To Run) and Allen Sabinson; and Alan Sharp (Rob Roy) wrote the teleplay. The Director of Photography is Pierre Mignot (The 6th Day). The production designer is Sylvain Gingras ("The Hunger"). Executive Producer for A&E is Michael Weisbarth.

Winner of the 2000 Governors Award from The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for The Biography Project for Schools, A&E offers viewers a unique blend of original programming, including the highly acclaimed Biography(R) series, original movies, drama series, and engaging documentaries. A&E is available in more than 85 million Nielsen homes in the United States. A&E received 14 Emmy nominations in 2001, the most of any basic cable network, as well as the prestigious Peabody Award for "The Crossing." The A&E web site is located at www.AandE.com, the BIOGRAPHY web site is located at www.Biography.com. In 2002, the Biography series celebrates 15 years on A&E.