Kristen Bell steps into "Burlesque"

Cast member Kristen Bell poses at the premiere of the movie ''Couples Retreat'' at the Mann's Village theatre in Westwood, California October 5, 2009.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Kristen Bell will star as Christina Aguilera's rival in "Burlesque," a musical drama being directed by Steve Antin.

The Screen Gems film centers on the journey of an ambitious small-town girl (Aguilera) with a big-town voice who finds love and success in a Los Angeles neo-burlesque club, reminiscent of the nightclub in Bob Fosse's "Cabaret." (Aguilera has guested in cabarets for the Pussycat Dolls.)

Bell will play Nikki, the loose-cannon lead dancer and main attraction at the club who spirals out of control when Aguilera's character suddenly gets the spotlight.

Already cast are Cher as the nightclub owner and Stanley Tucci as the man who helps turn Aguilera from bumpkin to bombshell.

The filmmakers are aiming for a Thanksgiving 2010 release.

Bell stars opposite Vince Vaughn and Jason Bateman in "Couples Retreat," which opens Friday (October 9). The actress, whose credits also include "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," next stars in the romantic comedy "When in Rome," being released in January. She recently wrapped filming the comedy "You Again" with Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis and Odette Yustman.

(Editing by SheriLinden at Reuters)