Ang Lee mulls directing Cleopatra

Plus: Lopez happy for Affleck's Globes win; Pacino to play Paterno in film; Washington modest about sixth Oscar nod; Obama's inaugural ball to feature Lady Gaga.

Director Ang Lee might direct the historical epic Cleopatra starring Angelina Jolie. Koji Sasahara / AP

Ang Lee is considering directing the historical epic Cleopatra starring Angelina Jolie, after the actress asked him to come on board. Lee, whose Life of Pi has earned 11 -Oscar nods, said he would read the script before making a decision but the project was "very attractive". "Sony has asked me to shoot the movie and Angelina Jolie wrote to me to express her wishes to collaborate. We admire each other. The project looks very attractive," said the Taiwanese-American director. "This is a rare opportunity and I will probably take it." – AFP

Lopez happy for Affleck’s Globes win

When Ben Affleck won Best Director at the Golden Globes for Argo, his ex-fiancée Jennifer Lopez was among those cheering the loudest, giving Affleck a standing ovation. "I am so happy for him," Lopez said in an interview. "You know, we went through a really rough time in the press back in the day. So I really felt like, 'Wow, this is a great moment'. I am so glad for him. He deserves it." Lopez, 43, has a new film herself. Parker, co-starring Jason Statham, will be released this week in the US. – AP

Pacino to play Paterno in film

Al Pacino will play Joe Paterno in a movie about the late Penn State football coach. The film's producer Edward R Pressman confirms Brian De Palma will direct Happy Valley, based on Joe Posnanski's best-seller Paterno. "Happy Valley reunites the Scarface and Carlito's Way team of De Palma and Pacino for the third time and I can't think of a better duo to tell this story of a complex, intensely righteous man who was brought down by his own tragic flaw," said Pressman. – AP

Washington modest about sixth Oscar nod

Denzel Washington isn't taking his sixth Oscar nomination for granted, saying he's just happy that people still value his work. Washington, in London this week for the UK premiere of Flight, is a Best Actor contender for playing an alcoholic pilot in the film. "It still feels good to know that people appreciate what you're -doing," he said. After adding pilot to his long list of on-screen professions, where can Washington go next? "I don't know. What's left? Milkman?" he joked. – AP

Obama’s inaugural ball to feature Lady Gaga

Watch out Beyoncé and Katy Perry: another diva is scheduled to perform during Barack Obama's inauguration festivities – Lady Gaga. A person familiar with the inauguration, speaking on condition of anonymity, says the pop star will perform at tomorrow's ball for Obama's staffers. The staff ball is typically a private affair. During the last inauguration festivities, Jay-Z performed for the event. – AP