People

By Michele Orecklin

THE NEW CATS?

It is the average politician whose life inspires a Movie of the Week. It takes an individual of uncommon theatricality, flamboyance and self-regard to let his life serve as the basis for an all-singing, all-dancing revue. And so it was announced that Minnesota Governor JESSE VENTURA had signed over the rights to his life story to be adapted for a Broadway musical, tentatively titled The Body Ventura. The idea was hatched by Pierre Cossette, who produced The Will Rogers Follies and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Cossette plans to mount the production within 18 months, and has spoken with Baywatch star David Hasselhoff about the lead role. "I need a big guy who can sing," Cossette says. He hopes wrestling will serve as the basis for the most rousing production numbers: "You get four big wrestler types, beautiful girls, set it in a ring. It could be one of the great opening acts of all time." Alas, those anxious to hear how Reform Party squabbles sound set to music will have to wait until after intermission.

THE MAN WHO WILL BE VADER

Had he not won the privilege of playing Anakin Skywalker in the next two installments of the Star Wars franchise, HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN says he would have been happy to walk away with the souvenirs of the audition process: "I got to meet George Lucas, hang out at Skywalker Ranch, and I got a couple of new hats," he reports. As it turns out, the 19-year-old, all but unknown Canadian muscled out some of the best-known actors in North America (reportedly including Leonardo DiCaprio) to claim the starring role. Picking up the part from JAKE LLOYD, who starred in Episode 1, Christensen will, over the course of the next two films, become involved with Queen Amidala, played by Natalie Portman, and his character will eventually devolve into the ponderously breathing, funereally attired Darth Vader. "It's awesome to portray a character who becomes Vader," says Christensen. "I'm getting ready to go to the dark side."

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A GOOD GENE POOL

Joan and Melissa Rivers may want to watch their backs. For years, they have owned the coveted mother-daughter spot on the red carpet at awards shows, but next month their pre-eminence will be challenged by two women of somewhat more refined talents. Last week ROSEMARY HARRIS and her daughter JENNIFER EHLE were nominated for Tony awards in the category of Best Actress. Harris, a stage veteran who has won a Tony, was recognized for her role in Waiting in the Wings; Ehle, best known for playing Elizabeth Bennet in the 1995 television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, got the nod for her Broadway debut in The Real Thing. This summer the two can be seen in the film Sunshine, also starring Ralph Fiennes, in which Harris plays the older version of Ehle's character, the most inspired casting since Joan and Melissa played themselves in the TV movie of their life story.

BUT WILL IT LAST?

Academy Award winners BILLY BOB THORNTON, 44, and ANGELINA JOLIE, 24, were married after a brief courtship

PROS: We'll get back to you

CONS: He's been married four times already

He's 20 years her senior

Until a few months ago, he was engaged to Laura Dern

He's kind of creepy-looking

They share an unnerving talent for convincingly playing psychotic characters

They were married in Las Vegas

She has a Billy Bob tattoo

PREDICTION: Yes! At least until the end of the calendar year