For immediate release

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME VIDEO
ROCKS OUT WITH THE RELEASE OF

JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS

PURRING ONTO VIDEO AND DVD AUGUST 14

"It's Charlie's Angels meets Austin Powers" - Fox TV

Universal City, California, June 15, 2001 -- On August 14, 2001, Universal Studios Home Video will be the "cat's meow"with the release of Josie and the Pussycats, the hip new comedy from directors Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont (Can't Hardly Wait) featuring one of the year's most rock-solid soundtracks. Starring some of today's sexiest young talent including Rachael Leigh Cook (She's All That), Tara Reid (American Pie and the upcoming summer release American Pie 2) and Rosario Dawson (Down to You) and appealing to fans of such hit comedies as Bring It On and American Pie, Josie and the Pussycats is the "purrr-fect mix of sexy cool comedy"(KMAX-TV/UPN). Available August 14, 2001 on both VHS rental and to own on DVD at the suggested retail price of $26.98 ($19.95 M.A.P.). Order close is July 24 for VHS, July 10 for the DVD. There will be a 60-day pay-per-view window. Information on the video release will also be available online at www.josiethemovie.com.

Rockin' Marketing Support for Josie and the Pussycats includes up to 100% bonus units at a reduced price for retailers meeting goal, as well as internet and radio promotions and colorful P.O.P. materials.

Josie and the Pussycats DVD

Available day-and-date, the Josie and the Pussycats DVD will feature the following exciting added-value elements:

• Josie and the Pussycats "3 Small Words"music video
• Dujour "Backdoor Lover"& "Dujour Around the World"music videos
• Deleted Scenes
• Backstage Pass featurette featuring behind the scenes footage with cast & crew interviews
• Feature commentary with Directors Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont and Producer Marc Platt
• DVD-Rom Features
• Theatrical Trailer, Production Notes, Cast & Crew Biographies, Recommendations and DVD Newsletter

By popular demand, the fun-loving characters of Josie, Melody and Val from Josie and the Pussycats have now become living, breathing, twenty-first century heroines for a new generation of fans. Rachel Leigh Cook was first cast as Josie, the heart and soul of the band whose own sense of style and fierce determination help her leave a feline mark on the music world. Tara Reid plays the drummer Melody, a big-hearted free spirit who rocks the drums with a vengeance. Lastly, Rosario Dawson joined the cast as Val, the sassy bass player who provides the band's foundation and strength.

After casting was completed, the three new Pussycats quickly developed a strong bond during filming that held true to the movie's theme of independent female characters who are loyal friends to each other. Additional cast includes Parker Posey (Scream 3), Alan Cumming (Spy Kids), Gabriel Mann (Outside Providence), Missi Pyle (Galaxy Quest) and Paulo Costanzo (Road Trip), along with special appearances by MTV VJ Carson Daly, Seth Green (TV's Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and Breckin Meyer (Road Trip, Go).

Obviously, music played a major role in the film as well, so the producers enlisted fabled music producer Kenneth "Babyface"Edmonds, who produced all the music with Dave Gibbs, who co-wrote many of the songs. Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, Jane Weidlin of the Go-Go's and Adam Schlessinger of Fountains of Wayne also contributed to the soundtrack. For authenticity, the three actresses were sent to "band camp"prior to filming. "We had everybody work on their own with their instruments, then brought them together for two weeks and turned them into a band,"said co-director Elfont.

Synopsis

Hot newcomers Josie (Rachael Leigh Cook), Melody (Tara Reid) and Val (Rosario Dawson) are three small-town musicians with big dreams but little future. Then fate gives the Pussycats a chance of a lifetime when they are discovered by band manager Wyatt (Alan Cumming) of Mega Records, who signs them overnight to an awesome recording contract. Suddenly, Josie and the Pussycats are living life in the fast lane with sold-out concerts, a number one single and global stardom. But it's not all limousines and private jets. The Pussycats soon discover they're being played like pawns in an evil plot by the record label's maniacal CEO Fiona (Parker Posey) to control the youth of America.

CAST & FILMMAKERS

Producers: Marc Platt, Tracey Edmonds, Chuck Grimes, Tony DeRosa-Grund

Executive Producers: Kenneth Edmonds, Michael Silberkleit, Richard Goldwater

Director: Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont

Screenwriter: Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont

Director of Photography: Matthew Libatique

Editor: Peter Teschner

Production Designer: Jasna Stefanovich

Music Composed by: John Frizzell

Costume Designer: Leesa Evans

Cast: Rachael Leigh Cook, Tara Reid, Rosario Dawson, Parker Posey, Alan Cumming, Gabriel Mann, Missi Pyle, Paulo Costanzo.

VHS

Street Date: August 14, 2001 Order Close: July 24, 2001

Copyright: © 2001 Universal Studios and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc.

All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Universal Studios Home Video

Selection Numbers: 88682 VHS; 88959 VHS Spanish; 88960 VHS Bonus; 88961 VHS Bonus Spanish; 88962 VHS Profit Lease; 88963 VHS Profit Lease Spanish; 88964 Profit Lease Bonus; 88965 Profit Lease Bonus Spanish

Rating: PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned (Sensuality, Strong Language).

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Running Time: 1 hour, 39 minutes

Technical Information: VHS / PG-13 / Color / Digital Stereo Surround HiFi / Closed Captioned

DVD

Street Date: August 14, 2001 Order Close: July 10, 2001

Selection Number: #21377

Running Time: 1 hour, 39 minutes

Suggested Retail Price: $26.98

Rating: PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned (Sensuality, Strong Language).

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Number of Layers: 2

Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1

Language / Audio: English, Spanish subtitles; 5.1 Surround/DTS 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround, English Captions

Bonus Material: Music Videos, Deleted Scenes, Backstage Pass featurette, Feature Commentary with Directors & Producer, Theatrical Trailer, DVD-Rom Features, Production Notes, Cast & Crew Biographies, DVD Newsletter, Recommendations.

End Of Release. Copyright 2001 Universal Studios