Oscar winning director Danny Boyle has unveiled plans for his opening ceremony at this year's London Olympics - and it's probably safe to assume that nobody predicted what he had in store. During a press conference on Tuesday (June 12, 2012), the 'Slumdog Millionaire' filmmaker spoke of his plans to turn the Olympic Stadium into a "green and pleasant land" that will include a wide range of animals.
The ceremony will feature 12 horses, 10 chickens, 70 sheep, a model of the Glastonbury Tor, and a village cricket team quietly going about their business. Boyle has been left in charge of delivering the 27 million pound opening extravaganza, and said the opening scene will feature real grass, real ploughs, real soil and even real clouds that would supply "rain" if there was none to ensure the authentic British atmosphere. The filmmaker spoke enthusiastically of the event, saying, "The ceremony is an attempt to capture a picture of ourselves as a nation, where we have come from and where we want to be". Electronica band Underworld has already recorded two songs that will serve as the soundtrack for the evening, as the athletes make their way into the stadium.
Boyle refused to confirm any of the other acts that are likely to feature at the ceremony, though Sir Paul McCartney has already confirmed his involvement, while Take That and The Who are also expected to feature, according to the UK's Guardian newspaper.