It's Official: Lindsay Lohan to Play Elizabeth Taylor in Lifetime Biopic

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Lindsay Lohan

It's official: Lindsay Lohan will play Elizabeth Taylor in Lifetime's upcoming biopic.

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The female-skewing cable network said Monday that the actress will play the icon in Liz & Dick, the TV film based on Taylor's romance with Richard Burton. Production will begin in early June in Los Angeles.

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"I have always admired and had enormous respect for Elizabeth Taylor," Lohan said. "She was not only an incredible actress but an amazing woman as well. I am very honored to have been asked to play this role."

Rumors of Lohan's casting first surfaced in January, with the troubled actress in talks to play Taylor in the project, which has been in development at Lifetime since May. Independent producer Larry Thompson, who worked with the cable channel on its record-breaking 2010 telepic Amish Grace, is overseeing the project.

PHOTOS: Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)

"We are thrilled Lindsay will portray beloved Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor,” Lifetime executive vp programming Rob Sharenow said. "She is one of the rare actresses who possesses the talent, beauty and intrigue to capture the spirit of such a provocative icon."

The casting marks the latest in Lohan's comeback and comes after she hosted Saturday Night Live to mixed reviews. The former tween star also has an upcoming guest appearance on Fox's Glee, playing a heightened version of herself in a judge at the musical dramedy's Nationals competition.

Her recent film credits include Machete, I Know Who Killed Me and Georgia Rule.

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