Soccer star David Beckham turns to movies

&to=http://english.pravda.ru/world/2002/11/04/39109.html' target=_blank>England soccer captain David Beckham is set to kick off his film career with a movie trilogy called "Goal!," about a player from Los Angeles who signs for British club Newcastle United.

&to=http://english.pravda.ru/sport/2000/10/26/490.html' target=_blank>The Real Madrid midfielder, one of the world's biggest sports stars, will be joined by team-mates Zinedine Zidane and Raul in the $100 million venture directed by Danny Cannon, according to Variety magazine's Web site.

The films would mark Beckham's first major part in a feature film. He plays himself and will be seen in all three segments of the trilogy, informs Reuters.

According to Servihoo, "It's no secret that I want to be involved in youth coaching when I finally hang up my boots, and I believe that the "Goal" trilogy will provide a positive message to kids around the world," Beckham told Variety.

Milkshake Films principal Mike Jefferies said "Goal!" got a major boost when soccer's world governing body FIFA embraced the film as a chance to widen the visibility of the sport in places like the US.

"Goal!" will use the backdrops of Newcastle United and Real Madrid matches for the first two films. The finale will be staged during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.