The stars of Frost/Nixon get political on the red carpet for its New York
premiere. Director Ron Howard says without Frank Langella and Michael Sheen in
starring roles, viewers would have missed out.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 17, 2008) REUTERS-
Politics was on the mind of many of the stars of
"Frost/Nixon" which had its New York premiere on Monday night
(November 14). The movie, starring Frank Langella as Richard Nixon and Michael
Sheen as David Frost, chronicles the interview that changed their lives at a
time when both men had something to prove.

Langella, who first brought the role to life on Broadway said the story
was not about rewriting history but giving audiences another glimpse into a
much-maligned man.

"I just knew that he was like me and any other man on this line -
a human male with a whole host of terrors and fears, angers, evil, good. I
knew I wanted to make sure that I honoured his humanity. Anybody can judge his
actions. I just wanted to honour his humanity," he said.

Comparisons have been made between the administrations of Richard Nixon
and George W. Bush which is what makes the story timely. Langella didn't want
to discuss Bush's legacy but he did express hope that Obama's win would signal
a change in U.S. politics.

"I would love to see a return to or at least an increase in
dignity," he said. "I would like to see our country step up to that
plate a bit more and I would hope that this man's (Obama) personal behaviour -
family values and what seems to be a streak of reel honorableness infects all
of us."

Michael Sheen who also played his character on the stage before being
cast in the film said he wanted the audience to see the many facets of Frost -
from bon-vivant playboy to insecure yet serious journalist. He was advised by
Peter Morgan, the writer and screenwriter to avoid meeting Frost for fear that
he would charm Sheen into painting a rosy picture of him.
"I kept being at events that he was at so I had to hide behind
pillars and things to keep away from him. I even followed him down the street
one day watching how we was walking and talking pictures of him," said
Sheen.

Initially, Ron Howard, the film's director offered the role of Nixon to
Jack Nicholson who allegedly turned it down and then was in talks with Warren
Beatty to play the part.

"Certainly we talked about bigger movie stars but at a certain
point I felt that what Frank and Michael both had learned and had to offer was
something that movie audiences deserved to benefit from. If you like great
acting, you needed to see these guys playing these roles," said
Howard.

Frost/JNixon hits theatres in North America on December 5th.