Natalie Cole Joins "De-Lovely"

Additional musicians have been added to the high-wattage line-up of top pop talent in MGM Pictures? "De-Lovely," a big-screen musical portrait of American songwriter Cole Porter. Natalie Cole, Lara Fabian, Mario Frangoulis, and Mick Hucknall will join Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Vivian Green, Diana Krall, Alanis Morissette and Robbie Williams in singing and dancing their way through some of Porter?s best-loved songs to tell the story of his life.

Starring Academy Award®-winner Kevin Kline, Ashley Judd, and Jonathan Pryce, "De-Lovely" is being directed by Oscar®-winner Irwin Winkler from a script by two-time Oscar®-nominee Jay Cocks. The film is being produced by Winkler, Rob Cowan, and Charles Winkler, with Simon Channing Williams and Gail Egan as executive producers.

"We?re thrilled to make these additions to our terrific cast," says director Irwin Winkler. "It?s exciting to have such an impressive collection of musicians in one film and wonderful how they feel so passionate about the project. Their love of Porter?s music is bringing an unbelievable energy to 'De-Lovely.'"

"'De-Lovely' is shaping up to be something wholly unique," says producer Rob Cowan. "The performances are wonderful and the size and spectacle of the production are something to see."

In "De-Lovely," Porter is looking back on his life as if it was one of his spectacular stage shows, with the people and events of his life becoming the actors and action on a stage.

Through elaborate production numbers and popular hits like "Anything Goes," "It?s Delovely," and "Night and Day," Porter?s elegant, excessive past comes to light ? including his deeply complicated relationship with his wife and muse, Linda Lee Porter. De-lovely is a sparkling celebration of Porter?s music as well as a stirring exploration of the artist?s journey and the undying power of love.

In the film, Natalie Cole performs "Ev?ry Time We Say Goodbye" while Mick Hucknall of Simply Red fame does a rendition of "I Love You." French chanteuse Lara Fabian and Greek tenor Mario Frangoulis perform a duet of Porter?s beloved "So in Love." Of the talent previously announced, Morrisette sings "Let?s Do It, Let?s Fall in Love," Crow croons "Begin the Beguine," and Williams puts his stamp on "It?s De-Lovely." Costello performs "Let?s Misbehave" while Vivian Green sings "Love for Sale" and Jazz stylist Krall performs "Just One of Those Things." In addition to the musical artists, actor Kevin Kline (starring as Cole Porter) will perform 14 numbers, including a duet of "In the Still of the Night" with co-star Ashley Judd (as Porter?s wife, Linda). Judd sings other songs as well, including "True Love." The soundtrack to the film will be released by Sony Music.

Production began on the film May 5, 2003, and will continue to the end of July. The film is being shot in international locations.