Tuesday July 24, 2:54 pm Eastern Time

Press Release

SOURCE: Paramount Pictures

World Premiere of the Film 'Rat Race'

WHAT: World Premiere of the film ``Rat Race''

Benefiting: JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION

MISSION STATEMENT: The proceeds of this premiere will advance

an effort to ensure further government funding of embryonic

stem cell research, the most promising medical technology in

decades.

    WHEN:      MONDAY, JULY 30, 2001 PROMPTLY AT 7:00pm
               Arrivals to begin at 6:00pm

    WHERE:     Cineplex Odeon Century Plaza
               2040 Avenue of the Stars

    WHO:       "Rat Race" cast members attending include: Whoopi Goldberg,
               Cuba Gooding, Jr., Seth Green, Jon Lovitz, Breckin Meyer,
               Amy Smart, Paul Rodriguez, Lanai Chapman, Vince Vieluf,
               Wayne Knight, Dean Cain, Kathy Bates, Gloria Allred

               Filmmakers attending include: Jerry Zucker, Janet Zucker,
               Sean Daniel, Jim Jacks, Richard Vane, Andy Breckman

               Other guests attending include: Dustin Hoffman, Diane Keaton,
               Samuel L. Jackson, Chazz Palminteri, Rob Reiner, Elisa Donovan,
               more celebrity guests to follow

ABOUT ``Rat Race'':

Director Jerry Zucker (``Airplane!'' ``Naked Gun,'' ``Ghost'') marks his return to comedy with ``Rat Race,'' an ensemble film about easy money, greed, manipulation and bad driving. To entertain his wealthiest high rollers, a group that will bet on anything, a Las Vegas casino tycoon pits six ordinary people against each other in a wild dash for $2 million in cash jammed into a locker hundreds of miles away. Each racer's every movement is being monitored by the tycoon and his wealthy friends, who have placed bets on the winner. The only rule in this race is that there are no rules.

Paramount Pictures presents, in association with Fireworks Pictures, an Alphaville / Zucker Production, the comedy ``Rat Race,'' directed by Jerry Zucker and featuring an all-star comedic cast: Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese, Academy Award® winner Whoopi Goldberg, Academy Award® winner Cuba Gooding, Jr., Seth Green, Jon Lovitz, Breckin Meyer, Kathy Najimy and Amy Smart. ``Rat Race'' is produced by Jerry Zucker, Janet Zucker and Sean Daniel. The original screenplay is written by Andy Breckman. Richard Vane and James Jacks are the executive producers. The film is MPAA-rated PG-13 for sexual references, crude humor, partial nudity and language.

Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies, and a leader in the production, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, and music.

    Release Date:   AUGUST 17, 2001

    ALL PRESS MUST BE ACCREDITED TO COVER ARRIVALS TO THE EVENT

For further information, please call: Photo - Riki Leigh Arnold, +1-323-956-5684, TV - Tim Menke, +1-323-956-5503, Print/Radio/Online - Susan Indri, +1-323-956-5915, or International - Alfred Pignat, +1-323-956-5551, all for Paramount Pictures.

SOURCE: Paramount Pictures