EDWARD WOODWARD - EDWARD WOODWARD TURNS DOWN FILM OFFER

EDWARD WOODWARD has turned down the offer of a cameo in THE WICKER MAN remake, because he still wants to be the star. Woodward received critical acclaim for his lead role in the original 1973 cult horror, and NICOLAS CAGE will replace him as SERGEANT HOWIE in the new Hollywood version. But the 78-year-old, who underwent triple bypass surgery in 1996 after two heart attacks, has given the remake his blessing. He says, "I was asked to be in it but I didn't really want to go back, I've been there. There's a slight difference when you are starring in something. "When you get to my age, you have already starred in things and then gradually the parts get smaller and smaller and smaller and you don't star in things any more."