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Welcome to Swayze Newsflash for the latest news!

The plot occurs in a small town, focusing on characters described as a drunk driver, a protective father, a manipulative female, a bored teenager, and a slacker motorhead, all headed towards the climatic auto wreck. The film will be directed by first timer Gregg Marcks and is budgeted at $6 million. Shooting begins on August 19 in Los Angeles.

Patrick did an internet chat at the USA Today website on July 16. It was a quick 30 minutes, but some great news was given in the process. Highlights of the chat include:

• "Without A Word" is probably going to be renamed, "Their Last Dance";
• Patrick worked very hard to stay in shape and become a true marine for "Green Dragon", noting, "I knew I'd "graduated" when I'd move around Camp Pendleton and guys would salute me.";
• An interesting quote during the chat, "I always consider myself to be a well-trained, peaceful warrior. I keep my skills up with martial arts, and non-powdered weapons - just in case.";
• Regarding a question about his near-fatal accident, Patrick acknowledged having broken both legs and his shoulder, and having a rod in his right thigh. He added, "I'm not hampered, though. When you believe in what you're doing, pain goes away." (Shades of "Dalton" in "Road House"??);
• After announcing that he did write two songs for "Without a Word" and, yippee, SINGS the song over the closing credits (don't leave that theater early!), Patrick stated, "I intend to (finally) come out with an album at the end of this year" and this webmaster is jumping for joy at the thought! It's about time, Patrick!!!!;
• Patrick feels his two most difficult roles to date were "City of Joy" and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar";
• Patrick is proud of being the first actor in the history of the Sundance Film Festival to have had two movies playing at the same time ("Donnie Darko") and "Green Dragon").

"Green Dragon" opens the week of July 15 in New York City and other cities. On the 15th, Ebert and Roeper gave the film two thumbs up!! Keep watching for this movie in your local areas!

Green Dragon Nominated for PFS Award

"Green Dragon", which began its theatrical run in Los Angeles and surrounding areas on May 1, has been nominated by the Political Film Society for best film expose for 2002 "for the film's role in bringing to light the pathos of the Vietnamese refugee experience". The film has played at a number of Asian film festivals, and has received good reviews. It's a powerful story of the first group of Vietnam refugees to be located at Camp Pendleton, and Patrick's role is dynamic and emotional. Check out my webpage for production information and lots of photos from this terrific new film!

Luxemburg 2002

Patrick was in Luxemburg during the winter of 2002 filming "George and the Dragon" where he plays the exciting role of "Garth", friend .... or maybe foe?

The movie has a wonderful website (yippee!). Visit George and the Dragon where you can view photos from the shoot! Filming was completed on schedule, and post production is in progress.

Variety's Adam Dawtrey broke the story about this new film on Dec. 7:

Piper Perabo and Patrick Swayze are in final negotiations to star in "George and the Dragon," a $32 million pic from the Carousel Picture Co., a Luxembourg-based production outfit.

They will join a cast which already includes James Purefoy ("A Knight's Tale") and Michael Clarke Duncan ("The Green Mile").

Pic, directed and co-written by Carousel co-founder Tom Reeve, is described as an "action-adventure romantic comedy," set in 12th century Britain. It offers a new twist on the legend of the dragon-slaying knight who became England's patron saint.

Purefoy plays George and Perabo the princess he's supposed to rescue from the dragon, but who turns out to have her own ideas. Swayze is in line for the role of Garth, a knight who is betrothed to the princess, and Clarke Duncan will play George's moorish buddy.

Without a Word Screened in LA!

"Without A Word" concluded a successful film shoot in April 2001, after which Patrick and Lisa continued to work on post-production duties until finally, in April 2002, the film was completed. Exclusive to this website and the official fan club run by Margaret Howden, are many photos and comments from the locales used in "Without a Word" and those involved in their use. See my webpage devoted solely to "Without a Word".A release date for the long awaited film has not yet been set, but the Swayzes held a screening in Los Angeles on April 9 for 350 family, friends, and industry professionals. . Read more about the wrap and watch this page for more news when there is news!

Waking Up in Reno Slated for October 2002!

Waking Up in Reno has been moved from the last release date of Feb. 22, 2002 to October 25, 2002, with no reason given. This seems a bit strange as Patrick had done quite a bit of PR for the movie, prior to going to Europe, including an appearance on "Live with Regis and Kelly". There are rumors in the industry that the delays may tie in to Miramax not being happy with Billy Bob Thornton, but with a cast that includes Patrick, Billy Bob, Charlize Theron, and Natasha Richardson, one wonders why Miramax is delaying the release time after time. A trailer for the film can be found at Entertainment Tonight which ran a great little piece on the film in early August.

Patrick and Lisa's beloved championship horse, Tammen,
passed away on April 21, 1999.

Patrick has completed his appearances on Conan and The View (see highlights below). Be on the look out for miscellaneous interviews and such!

Highlights from Conan O'Brien (July 16, 2002):

• On attending Paramount's 90th anniversary party on July 15: "It was amazing to be sitting there with Mickey Rooney and Ernest Borgnine."
• Re: some of the actresses at the Paramount party and his wife Lisa, ""there are some good looking actresses, but of course, I'm married to best looking one of all."
• On the potential "Dirty Dancing 2" movie, possibly starring Ricky Martin: "more power to him if he thinks he can pull it off; he's good looking, but can he dance?" ...and would he do an appearance in "Dirty Dancing 2"? "no way, not a chance."
• On being healthy: "If you want to heal yourself, come with me on a pack trip with me and my dog and my horses, and I'll take you back to the mountains and I'll fix you up."
• Re: "Green Dragon" -- "beautiful movie; go see it."

Highlights from "The View" (July 17, 2002):

• Sitting between the four ladies of "The View", Patrick commented, "I feel like a Swayzewich."
• Referring to Patrick's interview on "The Barbara Walters Special" where he cried about his father, Patrick again acknowledged how important the show was to his career, and added, "it touched a lot of people."
• Talking about show business and his choices of roles and the direction of his career, Patrick refers back to being selected the Sexiest Man Alive and stated (about his career that), "unless I could have it the way I want", he would quit and work his horses or teach children ballet, so he now makes the conscious decision "do movies that touch my heart."
• Re: "Green Dragon", he commented (and as he did, the studio was very quiet, including the ladies of "The View",: "Nobody knows the story of what happened to these hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees falling to their deaths hanging off of helicopters trying to evacuate Saigon after Vietnam. Also, nobody knows that the marines miraculously within 36 to 48 hours erected giantic quanta huts and tent cities all over this country to house these hundreds and hundreds thousands of people, and turn them into Americans. It's very interesting that I got to do this movie at this time because I believe, and this may be a little intense to say, but I believe that 9/11 only reminded us that we're Americans, and there's something called patriotism. ...when I did this movie with these people to watch people have to turn into Americans whether they liked it or not.... Over that mountain behind Camp Pendleton is America, and they're scared to death to take responsibility for our lives."
• Patrick refers back to an earlier discussion between the ladies of "The View" about religion, and adds, "everybody is struggling, trying to find a way to find their existence and trying to find reason to believe in something on this Earth."
• The ladies ask about Lisa, and Patrick tells the story of how they met in Houston when she was 15, and again calls her "jailbait."

AFI Top 100 Passions

The American Film Institute announced their 100 Years, 100 Passions, top 100 romantic films on June 11. Patrick made the list with two films. "Dirty Dancing" was #93 and "Ghost" was #19. Similiarly, E! recently aired an edition of its "Rank" show with the 25 most romantic movies, and in this list, "Ghost" came in #2.

Patrick Considered a TV Series

TV Guide reported that Patrick considered returning to series television!! Early in his career, Patrick starred as "Bandit" in "The Renegades", a mod-squad type of cop show. TV Guide reported, "Patrick Swayze wants to try his luck on the small screen. The actor is attached to star in the Warner Bros. TV project C.I.D. - a one-hour drama centering on the Criminal Investigation Division of the U.S. Army, Variety reports. The show could debut next fall." Patrick eventually opted not to do the project, but this shows he is open to all media types.

This is Ty Herndon - Greatest Hits
Now Available!

Artist Album Title Song Title Movie Title Actor/Actress   

USA Gets Green Dragon on DVD September 2002

"Green Dragon" has already been released on DVD in certain parts of the world, including Thailand and Hong Kong. The soundtrack is also available. The movie is still being released in theaters in the USA, but word has come that the dvd will be released in America September 10. It will feature commentary, deleted scenes, a featurette, and photo gallery, so it looks to be an excellent dvd to get. Projected price is $27.96.

Donnie Darko on VHS and DVD!

"Donnie Darko" opened October 26, 2001 in 8 cities in the states of New York (New York), California (Los Angeles, the Bay Area of San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and San Diego), Washington DC, Illinois (Chicago), Texas (Dallas/Ft. Worth), and Washington (Seattle and Portland). The film had premiered in Los Angeles on October 22, and Patrick was present. Another special screening was done a couple days later which included a question and answer session with director Richard Kelly. The dvd has now been released and includes some awesome tidbits, including 2 separate commentaries, deleted and extended scenes, photo gallery, Mad World video, and more. This is a fabulous, though intense, sci-fi drama well worth an investment!

Ghost released on April 24, 2001 and includes a retrospective that includes new interview footage of Patrick and plus a commentary by Jerry Zucker and Joel Rubin! For the official press release and more information, visit my Ghost page and Paramount. Later in 2001, on May 22, Point Break, Uncommon Valor, and Youngblood, also were made available on dvd though no additional "extras" were included. In 2002, "Forever Lulu" was released overseas, and in the USA was released on dvd and vhs under the title "Along for the Ride".

Patrick's On Stage?

Patrick's name has also been tossed around in various arenas to appear on stage. Regarding the stage show, "Witches of Eastwick", Variety reporter Matt Wolf reports, "Productions are planned for Russia, Australia, Norway, Hungary and Japan, while Patrick Swayze has been mentioned as a possible Darryl van Horne -- Jack Nicholson's part in the Warner Bros. movie -- in a U.S. tour due to start late next fall. That production looks likely to take place under the banner of Clear Channel, since Mackintosh says he is "not producing at the moment" -- his major revivals of "My Fair Lady" and "Oklahoma!" notwithstanding. (Translation: He is no longer gambling on original material.)".

Donnie Darko Website a Challenge!

The official website is still open and it is as sci-fic as the movie! It's definitely not a surf in and half pay attention site. It requires concentration and dedication! The site is basically a macroflash movie so that plugin is required. Phase 2 of the website is focuses on Patrick's "Jim Cunningham" character, so be sure and pay it a visit! Again, it takes some time, but it's quite fun!

For St. Patrick's Day 2001, Entertainment Weekly asked several celebrities to name their favorite "Pats". Jacqueline Bisset's response was, "Patrick Swayze. He's very charming and gallant.' Way to go Jacqueline!!

The August 27, 2001 issue of New York Magazine has celebrities, "Whom would you clone, and why?". Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen responded, "Prince William, so we can each have one of him!" Scarlett Johansson, actress, Ghost World, reacted with this quote: "What are the Olsen twins talking about? I want Patrick Swayze from the Dirty Dancing/Road House days. We need more of him. It would better the human race."

Have Some Voting Fun!

For some fun diversion, vote Patrick at the Favorite TV Performer and/or Movie Actorpolling site!

Patrick signs autographs for fans when he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, August 1997.

The Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club, headed by Margaret Howden, continues to run like clockwork. This is the *ONLY* official fan club and website supported by Patrick and Lisa. Click on the banner to visit the all-new

Buy this gorgeous Patrick shot and more at AllPosters.com

Amazing Stories - Book Three VHS Three stories from the acclaimed series: Life On Death Row (rated PG) stars a hardened criminal whose attitude is radically changed when he acquires The Power. The Amazing Falsworth (rated PG-13) portrays a night club psychic who inadvertently uses his powers to identify a mass murderer. No Day at the Beach (rated PG) is a tale about an outcast who miraculously saves the lives of his troop members.

God Bless the USA!

"Occasionally, we are graced with the presence of earth bound Angels. They are unable to stay with us for long, but while they do, they bring unprecedented joy and happiness to all they touch. While they are here, we bask in their goodness and marvel at their contribution to the world. When they leave, we are left with the devastation that comes with losing such a wonderful being... but we must remember... the earth bound Angels are not ours to keep. They are ours to enjoy, learn from, and behold until they return home."

Poster Now has several nice photos of Patrick at reasonable rates. Click on the photo below to check out their selections!

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