Cowell to make 'Pop Idol movie'
Cowell will cast the lead roles from open auditions
The X Factor and American Idol judge Simon Cowell is to make a movie set behind the scenes of a TV talent show.
The film, currently titled Star Struck, will tell the fictional story of 10 contestants in a singing contest.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the former Pop Idol judge said: "We want it to be the musical version of Rocky - an underdog story, a feelgood film."
Cowell will help pick the lead characters from open auditions like those used on his talent shows.
Cowell, who will produce the film, said he wanted complete unknowns to be the stars.
'Summer release'
"To enjoy the film, you've got to watch the actors and believe that they are contestants on a reality show," he told the Hollywood Reporter.
"We always believed that a TV show like Idol would be successful. I have the same feeling about doing the movie."
Cowell hopes the movie will be ready for release next summer, the magazine added.
Last month, he sat on the judging panel for ITV show Britain's Got Talent, which was won by opera-singing mobile phone salesman Paul Potts.
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