Simon Cowell, the American Idol judge everyone loves to hate, will be producing Star Struck, his first feature film. A musical, the movie was inspired by Fame (that fabulous 1980s flick), and will detail the behind-the-scenes life of ten contestants in a televised singing competition. Cowell says the story will told through the eyes of the competitors, but it is an underdog story. Cowell also said it’s a “feel-good film.” The ten actors in the film will be chosen through casting calls, open auditions that will be held in several U.S. cities next year. Simon Cowell told reporters he hopes to use unknown actors and actresses in the film, and he will be present for a major portion of the open auditions.

Simon Cowell says he has a good feeling about the movie’s success. Since it’s structured on the tried-and-true formula that made American Idol famous, I would have to agree. Meanwhile, Cowell is enjoying the season finales of two of his other shows, ABC’s American Inventor (which ended this week) and NBC’s America’s Got Talent (scheduled to end August 21). But Simon can’t slow down for a moment, as the American Idol auditions started this week in San Diego. The judge, along with Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, was busy weeding talent from the ten thousand who turned up to audition.

Dallas, Omaha, Charleston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Miami will also host Idol auditions this year, with the show scheduled to return to FOX in January 2008. At the same time, the auditions for Cowell’s Star Struck will begin. The Idol judge certainly has a lot of his plate, but it only means we get to enjoy quality entertainment. Young actors portraying singing reality show contestants in a battle of charisma and popularity….that certainly sounds like the next big hit to me.