Rumors are swirling today that Bette Midler is going to be replaced in HBO’s new biopic.
Reportedly, Midler will be replaced by Helen Mirren in HBO’s Phil Spector biopic after suffering a back injury. The actress is suffering from a herniated disc and was forced to pull out of the role.
Earlier this week she took to Twitter to explain. She tweeted, “People, I’m in pain! Herniated disk in cervical spine! No HBO movie for me!”
Midler was set to play Linda Kenney Baden, one of Phil Spector’s attorneys during his trial for Lana Clarkson’s murder.
According to Contact Music, Al Pacino will play the record producer and Jeffrey Tambor will play attorney, Bruce Cutler.
Spector, famous in the music biz, has worked with renowned artists including Ike and Tina Turner, The Beatles, and Ramones with similar success. He even produced the Beatles’ “Let It Be,” album. In 1989, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. But his fame would soon take a turn for the worst.
Instead of being known for his music, he would soon become known for his alleged murder.
In 2003, he was charged in the murder of Lana Clarkson. Clarkson was found dead in Spector’s California mansion in February 2003. Spector has said in the past that her death was an accidental suicide and that she kissed the gun.
Spector’s innocence became unclear when his driver revealed that Spector told him, “I think I’ve killed someone.” Soon, multiple women revealed even more disturbing details. They reportedly admitted that while visiting his house, if they wanted to leave he would hold them at gunpoint.
After a mistrial in 2007, Spector was convicted of murder in the second degree in 2009 and sentenced to 19 years to life.
