It is the home of the reclusive star, or mithral, elves, who constructed the realm nearly two thousand years ago.

With the screenplay completed, and $9 million in financing secured from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Ms. Weinstein took the audacious step of asking a Hollywood executive, Jay Kanter, Marlon Brando's former agent, if the reclusive but politically-minded star would consider playing a role.

He has told friends that he wants to retreat from the public after the Olympics but so far has refused to live the life of a reclusive star.

A precocious, largely self-taught abstract painter, he arrived in New York from Boston in December 1966 and rapidly developed into one of the art world's most independent and reclusive stars, known for playing hardball during his off hours (in a city league) and for refusing gallery representation.

"I leave it all to my butler - the dying wish of reclusive star"

(As a result of her avoiding the spotlight, Vanity Fair described her in 1985 as "the most reclusive star since Garbo".)

Once, this prized possession was associated with corporate executives and reclusive stars.

The reclusive star, who returned to California on Dec. 10 after treatment at a London clinic for what associates called an addiction to painkillers, is scheduled to make a televised statement at noon on Wednesday at his Santa Ynez ranch near Santa Barbara.

It would be easy for him to become a reclusive star and lock himself away.

Other executives said, however, that the relatively reclusive star had often clashed with her directors in the past, and these men and their colleagues either personally disliked Ms. Streisand or were resentful of her.