Geri eyes 2001 film shoot

Here's looking at you: Geri waits for her film fame

Singer Geri Halliwell's film project is on track to start production next year - contrary to reports the movie had been shelved, its director David Green has said.

Therapy is slated to start filming in spring 2001 and casting for the two male leads begins soon, Green told BBC News Online.

The film is very much a go

Director David Green

The director vehemently denied "fallacious" reports in the Sunday Express that the film had failed to raise enough finance to go into production.

Speaking from Cannes, Green said: "We have the money and Geri is 101% behind the film."

Therapy is to be her first film since making her big screen debut in Spice World: The Movie with her old group in 1997.

Green, responsible for Phil Collins' 1988 movie, Buster, believes the $15m (£10m) project, which is being made by September Films, will be a "major international hit".

Halliwell has been cast as Amy, a girl who turns to therapy to solve her life's problems only to discover that her therapist has fallen in love with her.

Green said: "The film is fully funded and we have $15m in place.

"We have not announced exact production dates yet while we wait to cast the two male leads."

'Unique quality'

He added: "We did have some problems with the script but after a major re-write everybody is very happy with it."

Since leaving the Spice Girls Halliwell has released her first solo album and become a UN goodwill ambassador.

She is currently in the studio recording her second album.

Green said Halliwell had a "unique quality" and said he wanted her to "play a role close to her own character, much like Phil Collins in Buster".

"The film is very much a go - we were astonished by these reports."