Pop star Madonna will be lending her voice to the cast of the animated film Arthur, directed by Luc Besson.

The film tells the story of ten - year - old Arthur, who, while trying to save his grandfather's house from developers, goes on a treasure hunt in the land of the Minimoys, a bunch of tiny people living in coexistence with nature, informs The Malaysia Star.

According to ABC News, "Arthur" is adapted from a series of children's books written by Besson, who also wrote the screenplay for the movie.

Madonna was said to be voicing the part of Princess Selenia, a character who travels with Arthur to a mysterious forbidden city where an evil being dwells.

The 80 million dollars project which is slated for release in 2006 follows the travails of 10 - year - old Arthur who, in a bid to save his grandfather's house from developers, goes in search of treasure hidden in the land of the Minimoys, a tiny people living in harmony with nature.

Madonna will be lending her voice to the toon character Princess Selenia who travels with Arthur to a mysterious forbidden city where an evil being dwells.

"The recording is being done at the moment," a source was quoted by ratethemusic, as saying, informs New Kerala.

Madonna will head the voice cast of the big - budget computer - animated "Arthur," based on a series of children's books written by French filmmaker Luc Besson, who will direct the project, sources said Thursday.
The 80 million English - language project, scheduled for a 2006 release, follows 10 - year - old Arthur who, in a bid to save his grandfather's house from developers, goes in search of treasure hidden in the land of the Minimoys, a tiny people living in harmony with nature.
Madonna is understood to be voicing the part of Princess Selenia, a character who travels with Arthur to a mysterious forbidden city where an evil being dwells.
'The recording is being done at the moment,' a production source said. Besson's Europa production banner also is in the process of casting a major male star. The film will include some live - action sequences.
"Arthur" will be the first film directed by Besson since "The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc" five years ago. Besson also is working on a parallel live - action project, which he has written but which remains a closely guarded secret.

Billboard.com also reports that CAA (who represent Madonna) have also confirmed this deal.

MTV News have published this little snippet of news regarding the tour documentary Madonna filmed this summer:

 Madonna's tour documentary, which chronicles her Reinvention Tour and the 'new' Madonna, among other things, is now tentatively projected to hit theaters by this spring, her spokesperson said. Jonas Akerlund is directing.

The documentary crews filmed around 1500 hours of footage during the tour. This footage is now currently being edited down to a 90 - 120 minute film.

Madonna will appear as a advisor/judge in Missy Elliott's forthcoming reality TV show The Road To Stardom With Missy Elliott
The show will look at look at how to make it in the music industry. Missy Elliott will take 13 hopefuls and each week she and her panel of judges, Dallas Austin, Teena Marie and Elliott's manager, Mona Scott of Violator Management will eliminate a contestant from the show. Madonna will guest on the show and will offer the contestants some valuable advice on the music industry.

The Billboard Touring Awards will honor the concert industry's top artists and professionals for the year, based on the Billboard Boxscores chart.
Recognition for finalists and awards will be based on actual box office performance.  

Caresse Henry has been nominated for Top Touring Manager of the Year!  She is nominated along with: Q Prime (Metallica, Shania Twain,
Red Hot Chili Peppers) and OK Management/Metropolitan Talent (Simon &
Garfunkel).  For all the Madonna fans out there this just confirms what we already know . . Caresse is the best!! Congratulations on your nomination
Caresse!

Signatures Network, Inc. (SNI), the entertainment industry's leading merchandising and licensing company, announced today that Madonna's The English Roses(TM) collection is currently launching in select Nordstrom stores, department stores and boutiques. Select items are also available on Nordstrom.com

SNI signed and developed the product lines for the premier licensees for The English Roses, Madonna's hugely successful debut children's book. The licensing program for The English Roses(TM) features Girl's Apparel, Footwear, Rainwear, Collectable Dolls, Teas and Hot Chocolate, Tea Sets, Jewelry Boxes, Charm Bracelets and Necklaces, Calendars and more.
Beginning in October, Nordstrom will create an extensive in - store program around The English Roses(TM), including fashion shows and tea parties.
'Nordstrom is thrilled to carry many items from The English Roses(TM) collection in our stores,' said Marci Scott, VP of Kids' Wear at Nordstrom. 'we're looking forward to events in our stores for our young customers, giving them the opportunity to see this fun, new merchandise.'

To read the full press release
click here.

Madonna leads the finalists for Billboard's inaugural Backstage Pass Awards. The veteran performer is contending in three of the six artist categories.

The awards recognize the top achievements in touring, according to box - office data gathered from Billboard Boxscore reports between November 2003 and September 2004. They will be presented during the Billboard Backstage Pass touring conference, set for Nov. 8 - 9 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

Finalists reflect a range of artists, venues and professionals who excelled despite the difficult touring year. Along with such categories as top tours, venues, promoters and events, the awards acknowledge the managers, agents and breakthrough artists who achieved top marks this year.

Madonna is a finalist for top tour (based on gross dollars) for her Clear Channel - produced Re - Invention outing, top draw (based on total tickets sold) and top Boxscore event (for a show at New York's Madison Square Garden). Other contenders for top tour are Prince's Musicology and Shania Twain's Up.

Among other finalists, Josh Groban, Linkin Park and John Mayer are up for top breakthrough act; Artists Group International, Creative Artists Agency and William Morris Agency are contenders for top agent/agency; and Clear Channel Entertainment, AEG Live and House of Blues Concerts are up for top promoter.


- - Ray Waddell, Nashville