ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURES AND SCIENCES - FOXX AND PENN CLASH OVER LAW

OSCARS host JAMIE FOXX infuriated 2004 winner SEAN PENN at last night's (27FEB05) ACADEMY AWARDS, when he doubted the acting ability of Penn's latest co-star JUDE LAW.

The comedian placed Law as a 'second choice' for casting agents after TOM CRUISE in between award presentations at the ceremony in Hollywood's Kodak Theater.

Foxx says, "You want Tom Cruise and all you can get is Jude Law? Wait. You want RUSSELL CROWE and all you can get is COLIN FARRELL? Wait. ALEXANDER is not GLADIATOR.

"You want DENZEL (WASHINGTON) and all you can get is me? Wait. Denzel's a fine actor. He would of never made POOTIE TANG."

When Penn arrived on stage to present the Best Actress trophy to HILARY SWANK, he took time to defend Law, his co-star in ALL THE KING'S MEN, which is currently filming in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Penn says, "Jude is one of our finest actors. What Jude and all other talented actors know is that for every great, talented actor, there are five actresses who are nothing short of magic."

Backstage, Rock said he had spoken to Penn about their disagreement.

He explains, "Sean said because he's working with Jude on a movie right now he felt the need to... I don't know. It's kind of funny."