CELEBRITY WATCH
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January 10, 2000
Web posted at: 2:43 p.m. EST (1943 GMT)

• Report: Plot to kidnap Posh Spice, son thwarted
• Blanchett tops 'Hannibal' short list
• Robin Williams embracing cyber comedy
• Clooney to replace Ol' Blue Eyes in 'Ocean's Eleven'

LONDON (CNN) -- Scotland Yard's elite organized crime unit foiled a plot to kidnap Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham and her infant son Brooklyn, according to Britain's Sunday newspapers.

The Sunday Times reports kidnappers planned to abduct them while the singer's English soccer star-husband David Beckham was competing in a match in October or November.

The 25-year-old pop star and her 9-month-old child reportedly were to be held captive in a north London house for $1.6 million ransom. One newspaper suggests an underworld crime figure was involved in the planning.

After receiving a phone tip, police planted an undercover officer with the couple's security detail and put their house under round-the-clock surveillance, according to reports. Other officers kept watch over Beckham and her child.

Newspapers report the kidnappers did not get past the planning stage, and no arrests were made.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman declined to confirm the reports, citing a policy against commenting on cases involving kidnapping or conspiracy to kidnap.

Blanchett

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Universal Studios probably will make an offer to Cate Blanchett to play the female lead in the sequel to the 1991 hit thriller "Silence of the Lambs," according to Variety.

If she accepts the role in "Hannibal," Blanchett would replace Jodie Foster, who decided against reprising the part of FBI agent Clarice Starling. Foster says she wants direct her own movie instead.

Studio executives said last week that they might consider waiting for Foster to finish her production, shelving the film or pitching the part to another actress.

Variety reports the studio has another unnamed actress in mind in case Blanchett's schedule is too busy. She's slated to begin production on "The Gift" and also has a role in New Line's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

Blanchett was nominated for a best actress Academy Award in 1999 for her role in "Elizabeth." She can currently be seen in "The Talented Mr. Ripley."

Anthony Hopkins, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter, has said he'll return for the sequel-- provided a financial terms can be reached.

Williams

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Robin Williams' fans will soon be able to get a weekly dose of original stand-up material exclusively on the spoken word Web site www.audible.com, Audible Inc. says.

The comedian, also an Audible shareholder, plans to post a half-hour comedy program -- a mix of solo routines with celebrity interviews -- each week beginning in April. The multi-year pact was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week.

Williams says hopes more performers will follow his lead onto the Internet.

"I love reaching out to audiences directly," he says. "I hope that this effort will prompt other artists to take control of their talent, bypassing traditional channels and finding new audiences over the Internet."

Clooney

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- George Clooney has signed a deal to play Frank Sinatra's role in a remake of the 1960 crime comedy "Ocean's Eleven," Variety reports.

In the original, the late crooner's character Danny Ocean led a gang of 11 World War II buddies, intent on robbing several casinos on New Year's Eve. Those partners in crime were played by his Rat Pack cohorts, including Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop.

Currently, Clooney is the only celebrity attached to the movie. But producer Jerry Weintraub says he plans to make it an all-star cast.

"This cast will take a little longer to put together than the original," he says. "It's not like with (the Rat Pack) where they all headlined nights at the Sands and shot during the day."

Production is slated to begin in late fall.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.