Noyce describes the qualities he was seeking in Rhyme, and says, "Because he can't move, it's got to be the voice, the eyes and the mind that's seen working. He's playing a very intelligent guy who has been robbed of other faculties. He can't move and so we needed a truly great actor, and Denzel is one of the world's greatest."

The role of Amelia Donaghy was a highly coveted one. In fact, very few actresses did not pursue the part. But Michael Bregman agreed that the casting of Amelia was relatively simple. The part of the quietly discerning patrol cop, who is obviously talented but frustrated in life, offered any actress a carefully-crafted part with a range of story arcs.

Bregman says, "After we saw Angelina Jolie's work in Gia and George Wallace, there was nobody else we wanted. Nobody was as exciting as she was."

Over the years, Bregman has helped to launch a number of acting careers, and he is convinced that The Bone Collector will create a major star out of Jolie.

"Angelina may be the best actress to come down the pike in maybe the past 20 years-and that's a strong opinion," Bregman says.

Jolie was given an equally challenging role, in that she was forced to restrict her movements in her scenes with Washington.

She says, "It subdues your movement when you're with someone who can't move. I naturally didn't touch his bed, or move out of his eyeline. You find yourself being stuck."

In describing her experience working with Washington, Jolie says, "He's brilliant and he's fascinating. He's obviously extremely good looking, and he has this smile. You know, the first time Denzel smiled at me I think I blushed. I couldn't turn away, and he couldn't come running, so I just had to stand there. When he looks at you, he looks right through you."

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