Bette Midler to play Mae West in new biopic

Bette Midler is to play Mae West in a new biopic directed by William Friedkin (The Exorcist) from a script by Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots, Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles, Hairspray and Newsies.). Friedkin, Fierstein and Jerry Weintraub (Behind the Candelabra) are executive producers for the project.

Mae West will be based on her autobiography Goodness Had Nothing To Do With It which follows her rise to fame after writing and starring in her controversial Broadway show SEX. West was sentenced to 10 days in prison for "corrupting the morals of youth" and went on to write Diamond Lil which was her break into Hollywood in the 1920's.

Seems like some inspired casting to me!