NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 21, 1998--News of Madonna's long-awaited new Warner Bros. Records release, ``Ray of Light,'' heralds an especially auspicious 1998 for the multifaceted entertainment icon.

Now the year is looking even brighter with the announcement that Madonna will star and co-produce a new film titled ``Recycle Hazel.'' Madonna's producing partners in the project are Geoffrey Blake and Kris Wiseman. More details on ``Recycle Hazel'' will be released as available.

``Ray Of Light,'' meanwhile, is shaping up to be the musical event of the season, with 13 new songs either written or co-written by Madonna. Among her collaborators on the album, set for release March 3, are longtime composing cohort Patrick Leonard and electronic music wizard William Orbit. The album's debut single, ``Frozen,'' will be released to radio early next month.