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Knightley regrets not attending college

LONDON, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- English starlet Keira Knightley says she is bothered by the fact she chose to follow an acting career rather than attend college.

The 23-year-old actress said she now envies people who have college degrees and attempts to "read absolutely everything" to make up for not having such advanced education, the Daily Mail reported Saturday.

"Not going to university did give me an incredible driving force because it leaves you with a slight chip on your shoulder," the "Atonement" star said.

"It makes me feel I am going to read absolutely everything so I can prove I am not stupid."

The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star also said she is nervous about temporarily putting off her film career to take part in a stage performance, the Mail reported.

"Everything scares me," Knightley said. "The idea of doing theater scares me in an exciting way but doing any part always terrifies me... It boils down to a fear of standing there in a wig and a dress and suddenly thinking, 'I feel like an idiot.'"

Beckham honored at star-studded event

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Singer Victoria Beckham was honored by Allure magazine with a lavish, celebrity-studded soiree in Beverly Hills, Calif., the Daily Mail reported.

The British newspaper said Friday that in attendance at Thursday's party at the Thompson Hotel were Beckham's husband, soccer star David Beckham, along with singer-actress Lindsay Lohan and actress Eva Longoria.

While Hollywood star Kate Beckinsale was also on hand to honor the 34-year-old former Spice Girl, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were unable to attend.The Mail said the star couple are known associates of the Beckhams.

The celebrity event came weeks after David Beckham posted a message on his online blog detailing how the British couple has become "settled" in Los Angeles since moving overseas.

"It seems like only a few weeks ago I arrived in Los Angeles with my family ready for the next chapter in our lives," the soccer star wrote.

"We feel so settled here, everyone loves California and everyone has made us feel so welcome."

'Dark Knight' reaches $343 million

NEW YORK, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- The Hollywood blockbuster "The Dark Knight" has grossed $343 million in its first 12 days and industry experts expect the movie to soon surpass "Star Wars."

The New York Daily News reported Friday that while some experts expect the newest Batman film will surpass the science-fiction classic's $461 million total, it will likely not dethrone "Titanic" as the highest-grossing film of all time.

"Titanic" grossed a total of $600 million, easily surpassing "Star Wars" for the top spot on the top-grossing list.

Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros., said if "Knight" does become No. 2 all-time, it would be a thrilling accomplishment.

"We knew we had something very special, but we didn't know how special it could be," he told the Daily News.

"Knight" set an opening weekend record with $158 million and its $343 million total in 12 days of release marked the fastest a movie has ever reached that total.

Carpenter, Cage to be 'Scared Straight'

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Nicolas Cage may soon team with director John Carpenter to create the prison-based movie "Scared Straight," The Hollywood Reporter said.

The entertainment publication said Friday that the "Next" star and the "Ghosts of Mars" director are in final negotiations to headline the Nu Image/Millennium Films project.

The movie would follow Cage as he plays a prison inmate who helps a younger prisoner incarcerated under the Scared Straight crime-prevention program.

The young inmate is placed in peril when a riot breaks out and he is taken hostage, the Reporter said.

The publication said negotiations for the film's producers are still under way, with Beau Flynn, Tripp Vinson and George Furla all being named as possible additions.

Joe Gazzam wrote the film's initial screenplay and "Straight" was nearly in production at New Line Cinema for several years.

Yet it eventually was released by the cinematic group and found its way to Nu Image/Millennium Films for a rewrite by Ron Brinkerhoff, the Reporter said.