Transcending her tumultuous teen character in “Crossroads,” a self-assured Britney Spears will live life in the fast lane for her next movie.
Spears has inked a deal with NASCAR to develop and produce a feature film based on the world’s fastest sport, according to her publicist. In the film, Spears will portray the daughter of a NASCAR team owner who inspires a retired track veteran to return to the circuit. Although casting has yet to be completed, NASCAR drivers are expected to appear in the flick.
James V. Hart, who has scripted the screenplays for “Contact” (1997) and “Muppets Treasure Island” (1996), among other works, is writing the as-yet-untitled feature. A final draft of the script is expected to be finished in August, and production may begin in the first quarter of 2003 with a budget of $40-$50 million.
Talks of making the racing flick began in July, when Spears was the grand marshal of the Pepsi 400. A meeting was held with Spears and members of her Britney Spears Prods. production company at the racetrack in Florida, and the idea was hatched.
Britney Spears Prods. – composed of principals Larry Rudolph, Spears’ manager, and Ann Carli, producer of “Crossroads” – has two undisclosed projects in the development stages.
Musically, Spears will wrap her Dream Within a Dream Tour July 22 in Dallas.