Remember that burlesque movie starring Christina Aguilera? Well, it's happening – and not only has Cher been added to the cast (yes, remember Cher?) as a nightclub owner, but The Hollywood Reporter now tells us that sweet, innocent Kristen Bell is going to play Aguilera's rival. Oh yeah – it's on!
For those who don't remember, Burlesque will travel down a familiar road as it's about a small town girl with a big city voice (Aguilera) who heads to Los Angeles where she finds love and success as a dancer in a neo-burlesque club (picture Bob Fosse's Cabaret). It's at this club, however, that Aguilera runs into Bell, who plays Nikki – the club's loose-cannon lead dancer. Of course Nikki isn't going to be too fond of a hot shot nobody stealing her spotlight, and so one imagines a heated (and sexy) burlesque club catfight will ensue. (It's funny, too, because in reality their roles should be reversed, seeing as Aguilera comes off as a lot more of a "loose cannon" than Bell.)
Production will begin next month for a release during Thanksgiving weekend in 2010. There's a huge burlesque scene in Los Angeles, so I can see this type of film appealing to a wide audience – especially to those fans of Aguilera, who's sure to belt out a tune or two or three for the soundtrack. What do you think?
