Celebrities Unveil New Projects: Olympic Bound Beckham and Animated Lucas

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

19 Aug 2008 10:22 PM

From the soccer field to the roof of one of London's red double-decker buses, David Beckham will be kicking the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics into high gear this Sunday.

According to British newspapers, the international soccer star is on his way to China right now to practice his part in the closing ceremony. When the Games end at Beijing's National Stadium, the distinction of hosting the Summer Olympics transfers to London in 2012 and Beckham will reportedly be included in the handover segment, which features a surprise finale.

The L.A. Galaxy player (and hubby to his spicy wife Victoria) was very involved in the London bid to secure the 2012 Summer Games and his rep says Beckham plans to be a critical figure in promoting the upcoming Olympics.

According to reports, Beckham will be a part of an eight-minute production choreographed by London Olympic organizers. Beckham will reportedly appear on the top of one of London's red double-decker buses and kick a soccer ball into the crowd.

ANIMATED LUCAS

Did you know George Lucas was offered just $3 for his first "Star Wars" script?

What a difference a few years makes.

Today, the directing giant is exploring a new world of TV and animation and "Star Wars" fans stand to gain from it.

Decades after he made Harrison Ford a household name and three years after the last "Star Wars" prequel, Lucas is turning his attention to a computer-animated version of the popular "Star Wars" universe.

The new feature-length movie "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" follows Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker as they battle evil Count Dooku and his army. It also introduces several new characters such as Anakin Skywalker's young Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, and evil Sith Asajj Ventress. Each character plays an important part in the new film, which Lucas intends to be a launchpad for the animated TV series of the same name.

"The Clone Wars," a thirty-episode animated series, will debut on Cartoon Network and repeat on TNT this fall.

Lucas says he is looking forward to exploring more characters and storylines in the TV version, which he says gives him more freedom than film.

"TV is a much more exciting medium to me because you can do so much more in it," Lucas told reporters. "A feature takes a long time, a huge amount of resources, and it has a very narrow focus.

The awrd-winning producer-director says "Star Wars" fans can look forward to indepth storylines and incredible animation.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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