Thompson in Oscar cast

By VARIETY STAFF

Emma Thompson, winner of last year's Oscar in the leading actress category for "Howards End," has joined the cast of the 66th Academy Awards show March 21 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. This will be the first Oscarcast appearance as a presenter for Thompson, who is a leading actress nominee again this year for "The Remains of the Day" and a supporting actress nominee for "In the Name of the Father."