As we’ve mentioned before, the film features the dramatic reading of letters and documents written by various characters in America’s history, both known and unknown, but the readings are performed by familiar faces like Josh Brolin, Danny Glover, Viggo Mortensen, Morgan Freeman, Rosario Dawson and Marisa Tomei, among many others. The film also features a variety of musical performances including Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, Jackson Browne and John Legend.

Damon has taken on the task of reading the Declaration of Independence. How does he plan to make it interesting? “You just read it,” the actor-writer-producer told a panel audience yesterday. “Seriously. It is an incredible document. I think people either forget about it or have been taught it too early in their lives. It’s a document worth reading and rereading every single year because it’s the principles in that document that we should be loyal to and fight for and struggle for, rather than whichever government is in power.”

Damon does so much good work internationally, and it’s terrific to see him come home and gather people to together to tell these important stories.

The film will air on The History Channel later this year so in the meantime check out ThePeopleSpeak.com. It’s hard not be moved by Zinn’s vision of democracy in America brought to life.

Photo: PR Photos

As we’ve mentioned previously, the year 2012 is rapidly approaching — and with it, the chance that we’re all going to explode.

Actually, that’s only one of the scenarios. According to the Mayan calendar, 2012 is the moment when the world will re-boot. Some speculate that we’ll shift in thinking and enlightenment, while others have prophesied that the universe will send us an ultimate smack-down. (ie, world-wide volcanic eruptions, asteroid hit, Sarah Palin as President, etc.)

Anyways, hoping to cash in on these theories, Hollywood is getting ready to launch the disaster flick 2012 this summer. The film stars John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover, and Amanda Peet. (>>View the trailer here.) As is becoming routine these days, the build-up to the film also includes some well-produced “viral” websites that provide information on everything happening as if it were really happening. There’s the IHC (Institute for Human Continuity), whose mission is to ensure the survival of the human race beyond 2012, a website for John Cusack’s character’s book Farewell Atlantis, and a blog from a crazy guy (played by Woody Harrelson) called “This Is The End“.

For a taste of Harrelson’s character, named Charlie Frost, check out the video below:

The ancient Mayans believed that the world would come to complete ruin in the year 2012. Present day Hollywood predicts this could be a box office success in Summer 2009.

It has already been announced that John Cusack will star in the Roland Emmerich film and now Woody Harrelson has revealed to MTV that he has joined the cast of the upcoming apocalyptic thriller 2012 as well.

“I play a guy who’s been talking for a long time, the whole world thinks he’s crazy,” Harrelson said of his character. “But he’s been talking that there’s gonna be hell to pay for what’s been going on ecologically and everything.”

Harrelson doesn’t know why they thought of him for the role, but for those of us who know of his outspoken activist ways, it seems a very natural fit.

Other actors due to star in 2012 include Thandie Newton, Danny Glover, Amanda Peet (fortunately the subject of vaccines isn’t in the storyline), Oliver Platt, and Chin Han.