Ritchie auctions film roles

Madonna stars in Ritchie's next release

Budding actors are being invited to bid for the chance to star in Guy Ritchie's next film.

Two places are up for grabs in an online charity auction - one for a male extra and one for a female.

Ritchie has recently been working on Love, Sex, Drugs and Money, a remake of the 1975 Italian romance Swept Away, starring his wife Madonna.

His next project is reported to be about the last major battle of the Crusades, The Siege of Malta, set in 1565.

Lock, Stock is one of Ritchie's film successes

Film fans are told that the role "could be 'girl in pub', might be 'first victim' or 'second spear carrier'".

Money raised by the auction will go towards charity UK Youth, which works with disadvantaged young people in difficult circumstances, and is currently celebrating its 90th anniversary.

The highest bidder is also promised a day or two on set, a listing in the credits and an invitation to the première.

Ritchie has become one of the UK's hottest film directors since bursting onto the cinema scene with gangster black comedy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels in 1998.

He enjoyed further success with Snatch two years later.

Stranded

His next release, Love, Sex, Drugs and Money, will mark a change of direction for Ritchie, being a romantic comedy set on a deserted beach.

Madonna stars as a rich woman who embarks on a Mediterranean cruise but gets stranded with an Italian sailor.

It is expected to be released in autumn 2002.

The original Swept Away was described as a comedy drama, and starred Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato.