According to EW.com, Neil Patrick Harris has landed roles in two films.  He will be occupying the role of a father in the indie comedy Best co-starring the incredible Amy Sedaris.  NPH will also have a supposting role in Beastly a modern take on Beauty and the Beast.  The film will also star Alex Pettyfer, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Vanessa Hudgens.

Check out all the info here.

Sorry if you’re not in the US and can’t see Hulu clips.

(If you remember Neil Patrick Harris has appeared on Family Guy – playing Barney in 2007).

Theatre Work
I was a girl when “Doogie Howser, MD” was on the air.  I noticed something special about him then.  Aside from New Kids on the Block, I only had eyes for Neil.  As I grew older, so too did Neil.  Though he had many television appearances and voice acting gigs after Doogie, he was largely out of the public eye.  He spent a good chunk of his time away from our television sets on the stage.  As passionate as I am about the Whedon universe, I am even more so about the theatre.  Having listened to several recordings of Neil’s musical roles (Assassins, Sweeney Todd), my admiration of Neil as a professional performer has grown exponentially.  This summer he returns to the stage in “The Importance of Being Earnest.”  Thank Dionysus!

Coming Out
I just think the way that Neil acknowledged his sexuality publicly was so classy.  He answers all questions posed about his relationship with partner David Burtka respectfully and tastefully. ‘Nuff said.

He Does Magic!
Okay, I’ve never been a big fan of magicians.  Frankly, they kinda creep me out.  When Neil does magic, though, there are no wind machines, sparkles or girls in sequins.  He’s relaxed and natural.  I can get behind that kind of magic.

NPH from nph-fan.com

He Can Laugh at Himself!
Too often people in Hollywood take themselves too seriously.  If you doubt NPH can poke fun at his own image, see Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.

Incredible Singer
Aside from the obvious evidence in Dr. Horrible, Neil has sung in several different situations.  The strongest showing for me is his work on Sondheim musicals.  Sondheim writes some of the most difficult music out there for singers, and Neil vocalizes it with such grace it is astounding.

Charity Work
He has supported charities for AIDS, Cancer, Children, Creative Arts, Depression and Suicide, Education, Gay/Lesbian Support, Health, Homelessness and Hunger.  You know, to name a few.

I could go on, but I’ve babbled long enough.  I must rest.  Or play Wii.  Either way, I’ll be thinking about a much more shallow reason to appreciate NPH

The first annual Streamy (not steamy Joss) was a star-studded event with a level of professionalism not seen for web series in the past. Whedon fans who have been following the success of Dr. Horrible won’t be surprised that it seems that main stream is starting to understand the value and importance of the web industry. To hear more of my thoughts about that check out the post I did on Social Media World.

Whedon fans will be happy to know not only did Felicia Day, Joss Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, Neil Patrick Harris and Jane Espenson make off with awards, they also hit a huge nerve with the rest of their peers. My favorite was Blake Calhoun, who won best directing for a dramatic series for his show Pink, who said in his acceptance speech, “thank goodness The Guild or Dr. Horrible wasn’t in this category.” And John Stern, who accepted best guest star for Paul Rudd called the Streamys, “the first Dr. Horrible Awards.”

Maurissa, Joss, NPH, Felicia and Jane Espenson the big winners at the Streamys (photos by TheBuiBrothers.com released under Creative Commons).

So what did our Whedonverse Alumns (and Joss) win?

Best Comedy Web Series
The Guild

Best Dramatic Web Series
Battlestar Galactica: The Face of the Enemy

Audience Choice Award for Best Web Series
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog

Best Directing for a Comedy Web Series
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog
(Joss Whedon)

Best Writing for a Comedy Web Series<
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog
(Maurissa Tancharoen, Jed Whedon, Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon

Best Writing for a Dramatic Web Series
Battlestar Galactica: The Face of the Enemy
(Jane Espenson, Seamus Kevin Fahey, Ronald D. Moore)

Best Male Actor in a Comedy Web Series
Neil Patrick Harris — (Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog)

Best Female Actor in a Comedy Web Series
Felicia Day — (The Guild)

Best Ensemble Cast in a Web Series
The Guild

and the Craft Awards (which were the night before)

Best Editing (*)
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog— (Lisa Lassek)

Best Cinematography
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog(Ryan Green)

Best Original Music
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog — (Jed Whedon)

On the red carpet I was able to talk with Sandeep (The Guild), Felicia (Dr. Horrible/The Guild), Vincent (The Guild) and many other web stars, writers and creators. From our press seats (in the balcony) I had a birds-eye view of Joss and Kai Whedon, Niel Patrick Harris, Felicia and the rest of the Guild actors, and Jane Espenson! The excitement of the theater was only slightly diminished by how freezing it was (though I’m sure under the hot lights of the stage it was extremely warm.

Some notable highlights from the acceptance speeches were as follows:

• Neil Patrick Harris NOT thanking Nathan Fillion (it seems NPH is still a bit sore about “I’m Better Than Neil” – not really)
• Felicia thanking all the casting directors and talent managers who rejected her because she was too scrawny, too nerdy-looking, etc. Because of them (and at her boyfriend’s urging) she decided to do the Guild
• Felicia breaking about 1,000 geek boy hearts when she mentioned her boyfriend.
• Neil Patrick Harris making the allegation that Nathan “pads his junk.”
• Joss thanking Felicia for being his mentor in the art of web series.
• Jane Espenson equating web series that go along with traditional television to hats and livers. Here’s to more livers.
• Jane’s dress. (Okay, technically it wasn’t part of the speech, but it was gorgeous).
• Sandeep and Felicia both thanking the fans over and over.
• Maurissa being a bit speechless.
• Jeff Lewis (Vork on the Guild) being more speechless. And noting that it’s nice to have a fandom where “someone” was noticed at a bath house in Seattle.
• Sandeep (Zaboo on the Guild) “keeping it real”.
• Joss saying he was an “outsider” into the web series world coming from the traditional media world.

I’ll have more coverage and interviews from the Streamys 2009 coming up. For now check out the 12second.tv acceptance speeches, the official photographs, a full list of winners at Tubefilter and Twitter banter.