Panettiere to star as convicted murderer, Amanda Knox

I usually don't bat an eye at stories involving Lifetime original movies, but I find their catalogue of films to be intriguing in the various ways women are portrayed. Either they're hapless victims who's husband has a secret family in another state; their husband is a brutal wife beater and she's forced to take drastic, Snapped-like action; or the women are crazed murderers in flicks that do nothing but prove that women are just as violent as any dude might be.  Such is the case with their next big film, tentatively titled The Amand Knox Story. Clever, eh?

Knox has become famous(or infamous, rather) for being convicted along with her Italian boyfriend for murdering her roommate, Meredith Kercher, back in 2007. The case caused quite a scandal for various reasons. One is that Knox is a relatively clean cut, wholesome looking chick, and the crime perpetrated is so extremely hideous and disgusting. I won't go into details, but you can look them up yourself. There was also some nonsense surrounding senator Maria Cantell(D-Washington) who made claims of anti-Americanism against the Italian legal system once Knox was convicted.

Lifetime has managed to snag a pretty big name to take on the highly sought after role, with Hayden Panettiere(I Love You, Beth Cooper) beating out Megan Fox, Emily Blunt, Lindsay Lohan, and others. That's some heavy hitting talent for what is still just a TV movie. I'm surprised this isn't going straight to the big screen. It's certainly a coup for the femme-leaning network. The Amanda Knox Story will air some time in 2011, with no firm date established as of yet.