Hayden Panettiere waving more pom-poms in comedy

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By Leslie Simmons and Borys Kit

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Hayden Panettiere may be wearing a new cheerleading uniform.

The "Heroes" actress is in negotiations with 20th Century Fox’s genre label Fox Atomic to star in the teen coming-of-age movie "I Love You, Beth Cooper."

Chris Columbus is in talks to direct, and will also serve as a producer. The studio is aiming to start filming in the spring. "Beth Cooper" is based on the novel by Larry Doyle, a former writer for "The Simpsons" who now works for the New Yorker.

Panettiere would play Beth, the school’s hottest cheerleader who shows nerdy valedictorian Denis Cooverman the best night of his life after he proclaims his love for her during his graduation speech.

Best known as cheerleader Claire Bennet on NBC’s "Heroes," she recently wrapped filming "Fireflies in the Garden" for Senator International, which stars Julia Roberts, Ryan Reynolds and Willem Dafoe.

Columbus, who is gearing up to produce "Night at the Museum 2: Escape From the Smithsonian" for Fox, was most recently in the director’s chair for 2005’s "Rent."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

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