Bette Midler joins HBO Films’ Spector project

Mister D: I also got this confirmed as being true!

Variety
Bette Midler joins HBO Films‘ Spector project
In-development pic adds Tambor to Pacino-led cast, Mamet directing
By JON WEISMAN

Exclusive: Bette Midler has signed on for a lead role on HBO Films’ in-development Phil Spector film starring Al Pacino, Variety has learned, with David Mamet writing and directing.

Jeffrey Tambor has also joined the cast of the film, which will be Mamet’s exploration of the relationship between legendary music producer Spector and defense attorney Linda Kenney Baden (Midler), who represented Spector during his first trial for murder.

Tambor, returning to the network where he played sidekick Hank Kingsley on “The Larry Sanders Show,” was cast as Bruce Cutler, also an attorney on Spector’s defense team.

Mamet and Pacino are exec producing with Barry Levinson, who directed Pacino in 2010’s “You Don’t Know Jack,” which won two Emmys (including lead actor in a miniseries or movie for Pacino) and was nominated for 13 others.

Assuming the project ends up being greenlit, this would be Midler’s most high-profile television movie appearance since CBS’ “Gypsy” (1993), for which she was nominated for an Emmy.