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Scottish actors Ewan McGregor and Dougray Scott are the bookmakers’ favorites to replace… Scottish actors Ewan McGregor and Dougray Scott are the bookmakers’ favorites to replace Pierce Brosnan as big-screen secret agent James Bond. The online U.K. bookmaking firm William Hill has McGregor topping the odds charts for getting the role, with Scott just behind him.

Bookmakers said Jude Law’s odds are lower after his recent film “Alfie” did not perform as well at the box office as had been expected.

“Alexander” star Colin Farrell odds were fourth in succession, after Clive Owens.

McGregor played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the recent Star Wars prequels.

Scott starred in “Mission: Impossible II” and “Enigma,” and there is increasing speculation over who will get the famous Bond role after Brosnan recently revealed he was “gutted” when the film’s producers dropped him.

He has been recommending fellow Irish actor Colin Farrell for the part, but Farrell has said he is not interested.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said he fancied McGregor and Scott’s chances, adding: “The public love a Scot. In the past, Sean Connery has come top in people’s favorite Bond and that can only help the chances of Ewan McGregor and Dougray Scott.”

`STAR’-STUDDED WEDDING

Star Jones, co-host of ABC’s “The View” and a former television legal correspondent, married banker Al Reynolds in a star-studded Park Avenue bash.

Notables ranging from Spike Lee to Hillary Clinton packed into St. Bartholomew’s Church Saturday to watch Jones, 42, who wore a designer strapless wedding dress with a 27-foot train, exchange vows with Reynolds.

“The train was so long it took about seven people to carry it,” said friend and guest Valerie Simpson, songwriter and half of the R’B duo Ashford and Simpson.

With songstress Patti LaBelle performing, and a bridal party including Natalie Cole, Vivica A. Fox and Holly Robinson Peete, the storybook wedding lasted until 8 p.m. before moving to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel for an equally celebrity-heavy reception.

“I smiled a lot,” said “View” co-host Barbara Walters. “I was happy for her. She had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.”

MARTIN’S A PRO JERK

Too much praise can turn Steve Martin into a wild and insincere guy.

The star of “The Jerk” and “Bringing Down the House” accepted the American Cinematheque career achievement honor Friday with mock cynicism, reports The Associated Press.

The frequent “Saturday Night Live” guest host played aloof with friends in the audience that included Robin Williams, Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, Martin Short, Dana Delany, Eugene Levy, filmmaker Carl Reiner and director Ron Howard.

“There are so many familiar faces tonight, people I’ve worked with, people I haven’t seen in years and I just thought, `Why can’t we wear name tags? What would be so wrong?”’ Martin joked.

“But this evening is especially meaningful to me,” Martin added, “because when I was a kid my friends and I used to meet after school and get all dressed up and play `American Cinematheque’ awards show.’ ”

Friends cheered him and clips from his dozens of movies showcased his joking, dancing, dramatic acting and singing.

Rick Nicita, chairman of the organization’s board, said they chose to honor Martin because he was a “Renaissance man” who has excelled not only as an actor and comedian but also as a playwright, novelist, art collector _ and even banjo player.

A telecast of the evening was set for broadcast on the cable channel AMC on Jan. 23.

U2 TO KICK OFF TOUR IN FLORIDA

Look for U2 to start its world tour on March 1 in Florida in support of its new album, the band’s manager Paul McGuinness told Billboard. He did not specify in what Florida city the band will kick off their tour.

“We’ll play approximately 35 shows in the arenas in the spring in the U.S.,” McGuinness said. U2 will then play 30 stadium shows across Europe, return to North America for another 35-date arena swing and finish up in Japan and Australia.

The band’s album, “How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,” will be released Nov. 23 in the United States, and a day earlier internationally.

Rumors have circulated that potential openers include Snow Patrol and the Scissor Sisters. McGuinness said no decision has been made, but added “We love Snow Patrol. Their producer, Jacknife Lee, also worked on U2’s album and they’re Irish. There’s a close connection.”

HARRY’S SIMPLE LIFE

Prince Harry arrived in Argentina for a stay of several weeks to work on a polo horse farm before he’s scheduled to join the British army next year, reports The Associated Press.

The 20-year-old landed in Buenos Aires Friday and was expected to spend most of his time at a working ranch in the Argentine countryside, local media reported.

The visit by Harry comes less than a month after he scuffled with a photographer outside a London nightclub.

The photographer, who suffered a cut lip, accused Harry of striking him without provocation in the Oct. 21 altercation. Royal officials said Harry was hit in the face with a camera and pushed back.

Some British press reports suggested the trip to Argentina is intended to keep the prince out of sight of the paparazzi before he begins studies at the Royal Military Academy at Sundhurst in January.

Harry is the third in line to the British throne, after his father, Prince Charles, and older brother, Prince William, 22.

`INCREDIBLES’ DERAIL `POLAR EXPRESS’

Santa Claus could not conquer “The Incredibles.” The cartoon hit retained the top slot at the box office for a second weekend, taking in $51 million to fend off animated newcomer “The Polar Express,” a Christmas tale that debuted at No. 2 with $23.5 million, reported The Associated Press.

The heist flick “After the Sunset,” with Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek and Woody Harrelson, opened in third place with $11.5 million, studio estimates showed Sunday.

Getting a jump on its full premiere next weekend, Renee Zellweger’s sequel “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason” began in narrower release and came in at No. 4 with $8.9 million. The film debuted in 530 theaters, compared to 3,650 for “The Polar Express.”

The horror tale “Seed of Chucky,” a follow-up to the “Child’s Play” movies about a bloodthirsty doll, debuted in fifth with $8.8 million.

Pixar Animation’s “The Incredibles,” about a family of superheroes pressed into action after years of civilian life, lifted its 10-day total to $144.1 million. That matched the 10-day total of Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” which went on to gross $340 million last year.

“The Polar Express,” based on the children’s book about a boy’s train trip to the North Pole, has grossed $30.8 million since opening Wednesday. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the movie features Tom Hanks in multiple roles, including Santa.

With a reportedly $170 million budget, “The Polar Express” needs strong holdover business through the holidays to avoid becoming a box-office train wreck.

The movie received wildly mixed reviews: Some critics called it a potential Christmas classic and others said its hyper-realistic human figures resembled dead-eyed zombies.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.

1. “The Incredibles,” $51 million.

2. “The Polar Express,” $23.5 million.

3. “After the Sunset,” $11.5 million.

4. “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,” $8.9 million.

5. “Seed of Chucky,” $8.8 million.

6. “Ray,” $8.4 million.

7. “The Grudge,” $7.1 million.

8. “Saw,” $6.4 million.

9. “Shall We Dance?,” $4.1 million.

10. “Alfie,” $2.8 million.

MONDAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Actor Ed Asner is 75. Singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA is 59. Bandleader Kevin Eubanks (“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno”) is 47. Country singer Jack Ingram is 34. Drummer David Carr of Third Day is 30.

(Compiled by Monica Roos from staff and wire reports.)

(c) 2004, The Miami Herald.

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