Wednesday July 7, 8:47 pm Eastern Time

Company Press Release

Paramount Pictures Announces Premiere Screening of ``The Wood''

WHAT:    Premiere Screening of "The Wood"

WHO:     "The Wood" cast members include: Taye Diggs, Omar Epps,
         Richard T. Jones, Sean Nelson, Duane Finley, Trent Cameron
         and Tamala Jones.
         Filmmakers attending include: Director Rick Famuyiwa,
         Producer Albert Berger, Producer Ron Yerxa, Producer David
         Gale and Executive Producer Van Toffler.
         Other guests include: Martin Lawrence, Pam Grier, Kasi
         Lemmons, Daryl Mitchell, Nia Long, Ice Cube, Vanessa Lee
         Chester, Bill Bellamy, Bernie Mac, Guy Torry, Robert Horry,
         Lamont Bentley ... and more to come.

WHEN:    Wednesday, July 14
         7:30 p.m.
         Arrivals begin at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE:   Paramount Theatre
         5555 Melrose Ave.
         Hollywood, Calif.

About ``The Wood''

Paramount Pictures presents ``The Wood'' in association with MTV Films and Bona Fide Productions. ``The Wood'' is an ensemble comedy about Mike (Omar Epps), Roland (Taye Diggs) and Slim (Richard T. Jones), three twenty-something friends who reminisce about growing up in Inglewood, Calif., as Roland faces pre-nuptial jitters. As the day unfolds, we flashback through Mike's eyes to the trio's childhood exploits, capturing the nostalgia of the era and reliving their youth through the great beats and lyrics of the unforgettable '80s hip-hop music.

Release Date:                 July 16
Directed by:                  Rick Famuyiwa
Produced by:                  Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa, David Gale
Executive Produced by:        Van Toffler
Screenplay by:                Rick Famuyiwa
MPAA Rating:                  R

     All Media Must Be Accredited to Cover Arrivals to the Event

Paramount Pictures, Hollywood
Michael Berman, 323/956-5681
Susan Indri, 323/956-5915
Tim Menke, 323/956-5503
Alfred Pignat, 323/956-5551