Leonardo DiCaprio fans have been beached for two years, waiting for the King of the World's return to the screen. But is this really what they had in mind--two new Leo movies set to open the same day? In a bizarre scheduling fight, both Steven Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can" and Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York" are set to debut on Christmas. Spielberg's DreamWorks studio first claimed Dec. 25 last spring. Miramax, professing ignorance of DreamWorks' plans, put its long-delayed "Gangs" on the identical date.

At least the plots have nothing in common. In "Catch Me," DiCaprio plays a 1960s con man pursued by FBI agent Tom Hanks. In "Gangs," he's an 1860s immigrant avenging his father's killing by crime lord Daniel Day-Lewis. Still, both films may suffer if they debut simultaneously. But DreamWorks rejected a Miramax offer to settle the dispute by tossing a coin.

Of course there's a history here. The two studios have been bitter Oscar rivals; DreamWorks, moreover, originally wanted Lasse Hallstrom ("The Shipping News") to direct "Catch Me," but Hallstrom has a deal with Miramax, which wanted co-ownership of "Catch Me" in exchange for his services. (With drama like this, who needs the movies, huh?) DiCaprio, meanwhile, has more momentous battles ahead of him. He plans to re- team with "Romeo + Juliet" director Baz Luhrmann for a film about Alexander the Great, in which he goes toe-to-toe with King Darius III.

--John Horn

Jimmy Fallon

Mr. Saturday night took a day job. Several, in fact. Jimmy Fallon just wrapped a movie and recorded an album. Now "Saturday Night Live's" prettyboy-funnyman has signed on to host MTV's Video Music Awards. He spars with NEWSWEEK's Katherine Stroup:

So you're taking over the VMAs on Aug. 29. How does it feel to follow in Arsenio Hall's footsteps?

Aren't we all just following in the footsteps of Arsenio Hall? It's actually cool. I'm honored.

For the movie awards you had a cohost. You won't feel naked without Kirsten Dunst?

I will miss having a cohost. But I talked her into coming. She actually goes everywhere with me. She's coming to the VFW tomorrow night. I'm gonna be hosting a lodge meeting.

Do you get to know all the VMA surprises?

I know everything. But I wear a cyanide pill around my neck and I have to bite it if anyone from NEWSWEEK asks too many questions.

That'd be a hell of a way to end the interview.

It's between my teeth right now. Don't test me.

Do you ever think you're too cute for sketch comedy? You're certainly "SNL's" first teen idol.

Oh, now just hold on a minute. What about Buck Henry? Do your research!

How much longer will you stay with "SNL"?

Not long, just 15 years. I'm not making "Will & Grace" money, but I'm not complaining.

But you're branching out with the comedy album?

I'm superexcited. I wrote this country song, "Drinking in the Woods." Mostly because that's what I did through high school--drive to the woods, pay $5 for a plastic cup, drink until the cops came. There never was a song for it.

So this is pretty much a public service.

Yes! We just had the Steve Miller Band, and how many times can you listen to "The Joker"? This one's for all the kids in the woods.

But why call the album "Bathroom Wall"?

A girl wrote my name in a bathroom once. I was pretty excited. It was just some derogatory comment, but still... I made it onto the wall.

In the "Idiot Boyfriend" video you give a granny a lap dance. Is there anyone you won't hump?

I'm not that easy. Actually, the shoot was pretty awkward. She wanted to take me home.

The Suspense Is Killing Us

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles went to church in Scotland, sat together in the late Queen Mother's pew--and no spinning sounds were heard underground. A good sign as far as it goes, but the prince is still waiting for letters of fire to appear in the sky.