By Christine Ehren
20 Dec 2002

Disney's once-troubled historical drama, "The Alamo," will get a casting boost from Oklahoma!, Variety reports. Two-time Tony nominee Patrick Wilson will join the film as Army commander William Travis.

"The Alamo" lost its director Ron Howard and its star, Russell Crowe, earlier in the year, but will start shooting with John Lee Hancock ("The Rookie") at the helm. Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob Thorton are Sam Houston and Davy Crockett. The Internet Movie Database reports that Viggo Mortensen ("The Lord of the Rings") will play Jim Bowie.

Wilson replaces Ethan Hawke in the cast. The veteran of multiple musical theatre projects, Wilson received Tony nominations for Oklahoma! and The Full Monty. He is also featured in the upcoming HBO adaptation of "Angels in America."

Variety reports "The Alamo" will begin filming in January in Austin, Texas for a Christmas 2003 release.

Historically, the Alamo was the site of a famous 1836 clash between Mexico and the United States, immortalized by the cry, "Remember the Alamo!" General Houston ordered Travis (Wilson) to defend a small mission directly in the path of the rampaging Mexicans. He does as he is commanded but with great loss to his men.

"The Alamo" was made into a well-known film in 1960. John Wayne starred as Davy Crockett.