Lang Is Cast; 'Gods & Generals' Filming On Schedule
By Sheree B. Watson

WILLIAMSPORT, Md. - Filming of "Gods and Generals" is proceeding on schedule, with actor Stephen Lang cast in what is regarded as the film's star role of Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Lang, who portrayed Gen. George Pickett in "Gettysburg," is an award-winning, New York-stage trained actor who was cast in mid-August to portray the stalwart and religious Virginia Military Institute (VMI) professor and Confederate general dubbed "Stonewall" by his men for his fortitude during the battle of First Manassas.

Pickett also is in "Gods and Generals" briefly, but will be played by Billy Campbell, a television actor seen in "Once and Again" who is also Lang's best friend, said Vic Heutschy, publicist for "Gods and Generals." The two are delighted at working together, Heutschy said.

Lang's performance as Pickett is one of the reasons that Producer/Director Ron Maxwell wanted him for Jackson, Heutschy said.

"Stephen Lang has become an absolutely fantastic authority on Jackson," according to Heutschy. He took Lang and noted VMI historian Keith Gibson to visit Jackson-related landmarks in the Lexington, Va., area, and was impressed with the knowledge Lang imparted during the excursion.

"He knows how he breathed, what he ate, how he walked," Heutschy said. Lang stays in character when on set, maintaining Jackson's voice, demeanor and stance at all times, "particularly in relation to reenactors," Heutschy said.

"He'll do anything for the reenactors. He goes into the camps at night and has dinner with them. He'll sit around singing songs and shooting the breeze. He's really endeared himself to them." An e-Entertainment crew visited the Staunton-area film site in early September, and Lang stopped to talk to reenactors, Heutschy related. The next thing they knew, they were all joking and singing. The reenactors ended the gathering with a hip-hip-hurrah cheer for Stonewall Jackson.

Lang's lengthy list of credits include, most recently, the one-armed man in the 2000 film "The Fugitive," Simon Bacig in the 2000 film "the Proposal," and Sergeant Major Jim in the 2001 "After The Storm."

Jackson's wife, Anna, will be portrayed by Kali Rocha, a relatively new television and film actress, Heutschy said. Her filmography includes such roles as Connie in the television movie "When Billie Beat Bobby," the flight attendant in "Meet the Parents," Shannon in "Autumn in New York" and Eliza Wilkinson in the 1997 TV mini-series "Liberty! The American Revolution."

Jeff Daniels is reprising his role as Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Chamberlain's wife, Fannie, will be played by actress Mira Sorvino. Among Sorvino's starring credits are Joan of Arc in the 2000 film "Joan of Arc the Virgin Warrior," Romy White in the 1997 film "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion," and Daisy Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby."

Robert Duvall is a wonderful Robert E. Lee," Heutschy noted. The film features 157 speaking parts. More than 7,500 reenactors applied for military and civilian "background" parts. "Filming is right on schedule," Heutschy said. "We shot some beautiful stuff in Virginia. They're thrilled about it. We're really moving along."

By mid-September, battles scenes for First Manassas and Antietam had been filmed. Production had moved back to Maryland, near the film company's offices here, and filming was under way for the Battle of Chancellorsville. The Battle of Fredericksburg - expected to be one of the most dramatic segments of "Gods and Generals," is expected to be shot in late November after the landscape changes to a winter look.