Amanda Knox Lifetime Movie Might Not Make it to the Small Screen, and Hayden Panettiere's Comments Don't Help

The Amanda Knox Lifetime movie is in danger of not making it to the small screen, and actress Hayden Panettiere's insensitive remarks definitely are not helping Lifetime's cause.

The Lifetime movie "Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy" focuses on the circumstances surrounding the murder and sexual assault of Amanda Knox' roommate in Italy, Meredith Kercher. Amanda Knox is currently serving a 26-year prison sentence for the brutal stabbing of the girl, while her Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito is serving a 25-year sentence.

But in its rush to get the movie to the small screen, it seems that Lifetime has neglected the feelings of the families involved. According to Fox News, Amanda Knox' family and that of Raffaele Sollecito are trying to block the release of the movie until after the appeal of the convictions of this pair that created such a media firestorm. The Telegraph also reports that the family of victim Meredith Kercher is involved in trying to block the release of "Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy."

In addition to being inappropriate because of the ongoing legal matter, the family of victim Meredith Kercher is also upset because of the brutal scenes in the movie that show the girl being pinned down and stabbed. A lawyer for the family has stated that the violent event is still too fresh on the minds of Meredith Kercher's family members.

But the Lifetime movie itself isn't the only problem. "Heroes" actress Hayden Panettiere won the controversial role of the girl dubbed "Foxy Knoxy" by the tabloids, and some comments she made about her excitement in procuring the part could also be seen as upsetting to the family of Amanda Knox. With Amanda Knox' family members paying so much attention to the status of "Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy," it was probably more than a bit upsetting to see the actress describe herself as jumping up and down with excitement upon hearing that she snagged the role (no mother or father wants to see someone taking pleasure in the pain of their son or daughter).

Hayden Panettiere has also remarked on her feelings about Amanda Knox' innocence or guilt in the case, stating that she goes back and forth from believing that Amanda Knox is innocent or guilty in regards to actually taking part in the murder, but does state that she feels Amanda Knox is "innocent in who she was."

If the Lifetime movie does make it to the small screen on February 21st, it will be interesting to see how the story is portrayed. The true story about Amanda Knox and who she was is a complex one, and it definitely isn't over yet.

You can read more about the true story of the murder here.

SOURCES:

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/02/07/hayden-panettiere-defends-convicted-murderer-amanda-knox-innocent/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/8309415/Amanda-Knox-lawyers-move-to-ban-film.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5814020/lifetime_movie_the_amanda_knox_story.html?cat=40