Cher is set to star in an upcoming Lifetime movie about the Flint water crisis, TheWrap has learned.
The Oscar winner will executive produce alongside Craig Zadan, Neil Meron and Katie Couric. “Driving Miss Daisy” director Bruce Beresford has been tapped to helm the project from Sony Pictures Television.
The movie, written by Barbara Stepansky, will document the crisis caused by the contamination of drinking water in Flint, Michigan. Cher has been active voice on the issue on social media, raising awareness and money for the cause since the crisis began in 2014.
The role marks a return to acting for Cher, who most recently starred in the 2011 film “Burlesque” alongside fellow pop star Christina Aguilera. On TV, Cher’s most recent credit was the 1996 HBO abortion drama “If These Walls Could Talk,” alongside Demi Moore and Sissy Spacek.
In 1988, the actress won an Academy Award for her role in the romantic comedy “Moonstruck.” She was previously nominated for Best Supporting Actress in 1984 for her turn in the Mike Nichols drama “Silkwood.”
Inspired by Josh Sanburn’s February 2016 Time magazine cover story, “The Toxic Tap,” Zadan and Meron optioned the rights to the story through their production company Storyline Entertainment.
Deadline first reported the news.