Helen Mirren Replaces Bette Midler in Phil Spector Pic at HBO

Elizabeth Goodenough/Everett Collection

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren has replaced Bette Midler in HBO Films’ Phil Spector telefilm.

Midler was forced to bow out of the project, written and directed by David Mamet, as it was already in production after suffering a herniated disc that may require surgery.

Oscar winner Mirren (The Queen) will play Linda Kenney Baden, a defense attorney who represented the producer during his first trial for murder, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Al Pacino will play Spector.

Barry Levinsonwill executive produce alongside Mamet and Pacino. The cast includes Arrested Development’s Jeffrey Tambor, who will play Bruce Cutler, an attorney on Spector’s defense team.

STORY: Bette  Midler Cast in Phil Spector Pic at HBO Films

Mirren won an Emmy in 2005 for HBO’s miniseries Elizabeth I; her television work also includes her Emmy-winning performance in the 2006 telefilm Prime Suspect 7: The Final Act, where she reprised her role as Detective Jane Tennison.

NBC is rebooting the Prime Suspect series this fall with Maria Bello stepping into the role made famous by Mirren.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit