Film-maker George Lucas has been recognized by US President George W Bush for his achievement in technology. The Star Wars director received a National Medal of Science and Technology for his company's innovative visual effects and technology in films on Monday. The movie mogul and the president of his company Industrial Light And Magic, Chrissie England, were among 15 people awarded for their revolutionary work in a ceremony held at the White House, Washington DC. Before distributing the medals, President Bush praised the recipients, saying, "The spirit of discovery is one of our national strengths."

Movie star Tom Cruise will attend the funeral of media mogul Kerry Packer in Sydney, Australia alone on Friday, after his pregnant fiancee Katie Holmes decided to stay at home at the last minute. Despite travel plans and accommodation arrangements being scheduled for both Cruise and Holmes, the Mission: Impossible star will stay at The Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney without his 27-year-old wife-to-be. Holmes is at least seven months pregnant and was reportedly advised not to endure the 14-hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney. Cruise is a friend of Packer's son James, and will attend the state funeral for the elder Packer on Friday. Actor Russell Crowe is scheduled to deliver the eulogy during the funeral, which is being broadcast live on Australian television. Cruise spent New Year's Eve 1999 on Sydney Harbor on Packer's yacht, The Arctic P, with his wife at the time, Nicole Kidman. The actor is expected to spend time on the yacht again during his visit, before flying out of Sydney on Sunday.

Bruce Willis has jumped to the defense of controversial author James Frey, declaring he was unfairly attacked on Oprah Winfrey's TV show last month. Frey has been criticized for embellishing parts of his best-selling book, A Million Little Pieces, which was originally billed as a memoir. The Die Hard star says on TV show Access Hollywood, "Look at what happened to James Frey in the last two weeks. That's a great book and so is the follow-up book. And just because his publisher chose to say that these were memoirs, it took it out of being a great work of fiction... to this guy having to go be sucker punched on Oprah by one of the most powerful women in television, just to grind her own axe about it. Hey, Oprah. You had President (Bill Clinton) on your show and if this prick didn't lie about a couple of things, I'm going to set myself on fire right now. James Frey is a writer, OK? He can write about whatever he wants. It's fiction. It's just shameful how he was treated in some of these things."

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx has denied lashing out at director Michael Mann for unreasonable filming demands during the making of Miami Vice. Reports last week suggested the Ray star had blasted his director on the police remake for forcing the cast to film in dangerous hurricane conditions and prolonging the shooting schedule against the actor's wishes. But Mann's publicist Pat Kingsley insists the film-maker has been in contact with Foxx over the allegations, who vehemently denies making them. Kingsley says, "Mr. Mann has telephoned Jamie Foxx who claims the story is erroneous. Mr. Mann takes him at his word." The director will be working with Foxx again on a project beginning this summer.

Pamela Anderson has announced she'll be boycotting the Kentucky Derby horse race this year because she thinks it's a cruel spectacle - and she's urging other celebrities to stay away too. The outspoken, animal-loving actress/model has joined activists at People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) in a new campaign to end the famous US horse race's celebrity connections. She says, "It makes me want to avoid Kentucky altogether, which is sad because there are so many great people there. I don't want to support cruelty to animals, whether it's forcing horses to race for our amusement or scalding chickens alive for our plate." Anderson's decision to attack the Kentucky Derby is a blow for organizers because she has become a regular at the sporting event in recent years.

Catholic group Opus Dei has called for "references that hurt Catholics" to be cut from the film adaptation of Dan Brown's hit novel The Da Vinci Code. The group, which formed in 1928, insists it will not request a boycott of the film, starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou, despite making their disapproval of the movie's message known. In a statement it says, "The Da Vinci Code offers a deformed image of the Catholic Church." Sony Pictures Entertainment spokesman Jim Kennedy defended the film, saying it is "not a religious tract, and it is certainly not meant to criticize any group, religious or otherwise." The film, due to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May , sees religious scientist Robert Langdon, played by Hanks, and French government cryptographer Sophie Neveu, played by Tautou, set out to discover the truth behind the infamous Holy Grail.

Socialite Paris Hilton has reportedly been asked to play celebrated humanitarian Mother Teresa in a movie biopic. Indian director T. Rajeevnath has contacted the hotel heiress about taking the lead role in his new film, which will chronicle the late nun's life. He tells MTV.co.uk, "My agents in California have contacted Paris Hilton. Although there are several actresses willing to play the role of Mother Teresa, the most widely respected and loved person, the history of the actress who is finally chosen for the role would have to be analyzed thoroughly before she is chosen."

Producers of the new James Bond movie Casino Royale have hit out at rumors the film's plot mirrors the death of an innocent Brazilian terror suspect at a London tube station last year. Jean Charles De Menezes, 27, was killed when police opened fire at Stockwell underground station in July, convinced he was carrying a bomb. His grief-stricken family have since expressed outrage at reports the tragedy has inspired film-makers to incorporate a similar story in Daniel Craig's debut as the suave super spy. But Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are adamant the incident will not feature in the movie. They say, "We categorically deny reports that the script of Casino Royale bears any resemblance to the tragic death of the innocent Brazilian citizen Mr. Jean Charles de Menezes. In the script of Casino Royale, James Bond does not kill any innocent people." Reports suggested 007 would kill an innocent bomb suspect in the film, before desperately seeking to clear his name when harrowing CCTV footage is aired around the world.

Clever Britney Spears has found a way to win back favor after being photographed driving through Malibu, California with her baby son on her lap - by hoping her blunder will make other moms think hard about child safety. The pop superstar has already come clean about the dangerous gaffe, which had family groups enraged - and almost cost her a hefty fine. In an interview last week, she called the incident "a mistake," explaining she was trying to dash away from paparazzi without restraining her son Sean Preston. Now, speaking exclusively to America's People magazine, Spears urges other parents to take child safety more seriously. She says, "I love my baby more than anything, and as unfortunate an experience as this has been for me and my family, if it brings more attention to child safety then I fully support that."

Superstar Madonna recovered quickly from a hernia operation last week to attend the Brit Awards in London last night. The "Hung Up" star underwent "a minor operation" at the Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles following her performance at the Grammy Awards last Wednesday, her spokeswoman has confirmed. Madonna's rep said the 47-year-old singer had fully recovered and was delighted to be attending the London music bash with her husband Guy Ritchie, where she picked up International Female Solo Artist.