Who would have thunk it? That is, actor Jon Voight being cast as flamboyant, controversial ABC sportscaster Howard Cosell in anything but a comedy sketch.

Well, the producers of "Ali" put Voight into the role and, according to most critics, he shines in the part. Writing in USA Today, Andy Seiler calls his performance one that causes the audience to actually think Voight has become the late broadcaster. It is, according to the reviewer, a performance that already has earned Voight a Golden Globe nomination.

Director Michael Mann knew that Voight was a gifted mimic. On the other hand, Voight thought that frequent Cosell impersonator Billy Crystal should play the part. Mann chose Voight.

"Doing Cosell is a daunting thing," Voight once quipped. And, according to most reviewers the actor was more than up to the challenge.

SPEAKING OF 'ALI' ...

Although the more than $10 million taken in by "Ali" since its opening on Christmas Day may not seem big bucks in modern-day Hollywood, analysts agree that considering the competition from more family-oriented, more traditional holiday fare, the adult-rated film is doing better than expected.

Part of the appeal is, of course, leading man Will Smith. Additionally, much of the pre-release hype and interviews stressed the fact that the film deals with a part of ex-champ Muhammad Ali's life when he was barred from boxing and went on the college lecture circuit. Ali is also one of the world's best-known people.

Although some Ali purists have been highly critical of the film -- for which Ali was not given script approval -- it will likely continue to build an audience, particularly when the more juvenile fare fades.

(The above two items thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE

Parade watchers who venture to Pasadena, Calif., for the 2002 Tournament of Roses parade on New Year's Day can expect tighter security as organizers try to uphold this year's theme "Good Times," following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"We are expecting the parade to be a safe and secure event," Commander Mary Schander of the Pasadena Police Department told UPI.

Schander said only ticket holders will be able to enter the main viewing bleachers on Colorado and Orange Grove boulevards, and anyone along the parade route is subject to search. She added that people would still be allowed to camp out along the five-mile parade route.

"There have been no threats made against the parade, however, we are in constant contact with the FBI," Schander said.

Unauthorized aircraft will be barred from flying within three miles of the parade at an altitude of less than 3,000 feet, while officers keep tabs on unattended recreational vehicles parked near the route.

Pasadena Police have also signed up people in motor homes to join a "Parade Watch" program that encourages them to report suspicious activity. "We have had a lot of motor home owners agree to cooperate with law enforcement officials," she said.

The 113th Tournament of Roses will show off plenty of red, white and blue in honor of the attacks. It'll feature 53 floats, with Regis Philbin serving as grand marshal.

BOX OFFICE

"Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring" easily won the nation's post-Christmas weekend box office with an estimated $37.4 million at 3,359 theaters during the Friday-Sunday period, studio sources said Sunday.

"Lord of the Rings" has now taken in an impressive $154.5 million in its first dozen days for New Line. It already ranks as the 83rd highest domestic grosser, topping "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."

Many box office trackers had expected "Lord of the Rings" to face a strong challenge from Sony's "Ali," which opened Christmas Day with $10.2 million, just $1.4 million behind "Rings" figure on the same day. Instead, "Ali" finished a distant third with $15.3 million at 2,446 sites, coming in behind Warner's fourth weekend of "Ocean's Eleven" with $17.4 million at 3,075 theaters.

Paramount's second weekend of "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" came in a close fourth with $15 million at 3,151 locations as the Nickelodeon cartoon topped $42 million after 10 days. Paramount's third weekend of "Vanilla Sky" followed in fifth with $11.5 million at 2,744 sites. "Sky," starring Tom Cruise, has topped $66 million in 17 days.

Rounding out the top 10 were "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "Kate & Leopold," "A Beautiful Mind," "Monsters Inc.," and "The Majestic."