Simon Cowell grants one more "Chance"

By Steven Zeitchik

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - The Simon Cowell-produced movie about a rags-to-riches reality music star is moving ahead at Paramount.

"One Chance" is a comedy-drama based on opera singer Paul Potts' last-ditch effort to make a career in music by competing on the "Britain's Got Talent" television show.

The mobile-phone salesman was riddled by a streak of bad luck when, on a lark, he auditioned for "Talent" in 2007. His on-air performances bowled over audiences and judges, including the famously caustic Cowell. He won the show and become a media and YouTube sensation, eventually going on a global music tour and releasing an album.

Cowell, the British music magnate who brought "American Idol" and "America's Got Talent" to these shores, is making his studio debut with "Chance." He also is developing "Star Struck," a scripted tale about a musical reality show that has not yet been set up at a studio.

The script for "One Chance" will be written by Justin Zackham ("The Bucket List").

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter