A role in space

A Russian film director said he hoped to send two actors into orbit for the first drama filmed in space but space officials said the huge sums of money involved could scupper the project. "The two actors chosen have undergone the necessary medical tests and in January a period of training will begin," Yuri Kara said, adding that the candidates could be ready to fly by next August.

Russian space officials said they welcomed the project in principle but stressed that no documents had yet been signed. "Everything depends on technical conditions, including the actual state of Mir," said a Russian Space Agency spokesman. Reuters, Moscow