Christina Aguilera goes BURLESQUE, the more tease than striptease

Today's Variety carry word that world famous popstar Christina Aguilera has signed on to make her big screen debut in a Screen Gems movie titled Burlesque, the brainchild of Steve Antin, who's brother Robin created the dance burlesque ensemble group The Pussycat Dolls. The movie written exclusively for Aguilera will be a "contemporary musical, with singing, dancing, comedy and more tease than striptease"according to Antin. Aguilera will play an ambitious smalltown girl with a big voice who finds love, family and success in a Los Angeles neo-burlesque club. Previously we have heard it described as Moulin Rouge meets Cabaret. Aguilera previously starred in a very memorable burlesque pop video for the 2001 movie Moulin Rouge...

Antin will direct with the project which has recently gone through a re-write from Erin Brokovich scribe Susannah Grant. Previously blogger turned stripper turned Oscar winning screenwriter Diablo Cody (Juno) also turned in a re-draft, but Variety make no mention of it. Does Aguilera have what it takes to become a movie star? I would suggest in this kind of starring vehicle, probably yes. She has a huge fanbase, especially for this kind of material and I can imagine her loyal following backing her on this one. I think if made right, this could be a huge winner for Screen Gems, if it feels big, showy and glitzy. And a little help from The Pussycat Dolls, a catchy and mainstream tie-in song, enough skin to attract the boys and a fun trailer... I'm predicting nothing but a HUGE HIT for Screen Gems right here.