WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? Second only to Titanic as Japan's highest-grossing film, this incredible flick may well become America's highest-grossing anime film -- that is, until the ominously-titled Pokemon: The First Movie opens two weeks later.

THE CAST

(The English-dubbed version of this film contains vocal work by several notable American actors.)

BILLY CRUDUP: is the guy from that Prefontaine movie that didn't have Jared Leto. His other credits include Everyone Says I Love You and The Hi-Lo Country.

CLAIRE DANES: Demonic hellspawn of an actress who fortunately isn't in this film as much as you'd think. Odes to ineptitude include The Mod Squad, Polish Wedding, Brokedown Palace and My So-Called Life.

GILLIAN ANDERSON: Need you even ask?

MINNIE DRIVER: With Crudup, the excellent Minnie gives the best performance in the film. Also recommended: Circle of Friends, Grosse Point Blank, Tarzan and, if you must, Good Will Hunting.

BILLY BOB THORNTON: was in the incredible Sling Blade, as well as Primary Colors, The Apostle, A Simple Plan and Armageddon.

THE CREW

HAYAO MIYAZAKI: Prolific and talented Japanese writer and director; his most well-known film to American audiences is 1989's Kiki's Delivery Service.

NEIL GAIMAN: Legendary comic-book writer who penned the English adaptation of the original Japanese screenplay; among his best-known work include the Sandman series.

OTHER

Princess Mononoke will be given American release by Miramax Films. It was originally produced by Toshio Suzuki and Yasuyoshi Tokuma.

THE PREMISE: After battling a mysterious beast, the warrior Ashitaka finds himself cursed with a fatal wound. Determined to find a cure, he ventures into the forests of Japan only to be caught in the midst of a greater struggle between man and nature.

GOSSIP and USELESS FACTS:

• The Japanese title of this film is Mononoke Hime. The story combines a number of Japanese legends and mythology.

LINKS:
Official Site (Japanese)
Miramax Site