Willa Ford Tapped to Play Anna Nicole Smith in Upcoming Movie

After the untimely death of Anna Nicole Smith back in early February, the screenplay of a movie about her life, which was already in the works, was rushed into production. On Wednesday, it was announced that Willa Ford, who is known for her 2001 album "Willa Was Here" and a stint on "Dancing With The Stars" in 2006, would play the leading role of Anna Nicole Smith. "The previously announced independent movie 'Anna Nicole' will cover her life from age 17 to her death." (CBS News) Will Ford was a Playboy Playmate like Smith.

More details of the movie have been released. "According to Variety, 'Anna Nicole' the movie will cover Smith's life from her late teens through her death in February in Hollywood, Florida." (MSNBC) Both MSNBC and CBS are reporting that the movie will cover Anna Nicole Smith's life from age 17 until her death in February. Not only will it portray her stint as a Playboy Playmate and as a Guess model, it will also detail her controversial marriage to J. Howard Marshal II. The producers of the independent movie also plan to cover her final years in-depth. The birth of her daughter Dannielynn, whose father is Larry Birkhead, the death of her son Daniel, and her final months in the Bahamas will all be depicted dramatically in the movie.

At this time, there are no other details with regards to casting of the much-anticipated movie. "Though it is not known who will play the other prominent roles in Smith's life, comedian Jay Mohr, the former host of NBC's 'Last Comic Standing,' joked with Los Angeles radio station KROQ earlier this morning, he should play the part of Birkhead due to their physical resemblance." (MSNBC) There is no set date for the release of the film, but it is known that the production is being moved up due to the intense interest in the life and death of the former Playboy Playmate. "Jack and Joseph Nasser will produce the project with Elie Samaha executive producing. Keoni Waxman, Variety reports, will direct the film." (MSNBC) None were reached for comment.

While the intention to make a movie about the life of Anna Nicole Smith has been known for quite some time, none of the parties involved, namely Howard K. Stern, Larry Birkhead, nor her family, have commented on the project. The first casting announcement was made a day after it was confirmed that Larry Birkhead is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Dannielynn.

Sources: CBS, MSNBC