Davidtz leads in Disney's 'Man'

Thesp cast opposite Williams in romantic drama

By ERIC J. OLSON

Embeth Davidtz, best known for her role as a concentration camp servant in "Schindler's List," has been cast as the lead female opposite Robin Williams in the romantic drama "Bicentennial Man" from Walt Disney Pictures.

Davidtz will play two roles in the pic, which follows the life and times of an android servant (Williams) who becomes more human over the two centuries he spends with the Martin family. The actress will portray a young woman whom Williams takes care of as a girl; and then later the grandaughter of that woman.

Based on the short story of the same title by Isaac Asimov, pic is directed by Chris Columbus from a screenplay by Nicholas Kazan. Wolfgang Petersen, Gail Katz, Laurence Mark, Neil Miller, Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe and Michael Barnathan are producing, and Dan Kolsrud exec produces.

Davidtz will next be seen in "Mansfield Park" from Miramax and "Simon Magus" from G2. Other films the actress has appeared in include "Fallen," "The Gingerbread Man" and "Army of Darkness."

Davidtz's "Bicentennial Man" deal was brokered by Joe Funicello and Aleen Keshishian at ICM.