Timberlake hits Tinseltown for big screen career

Pop star Justin Timberlake, fresh from his Grammy success, said today he was beginning a career on the big screen.

Timberlake, former boyfriend of singer Britney Spears and present boyfriend of actress Cameron Diaz, will play the part of a young crusading journalist in the movie Edison.

He will appear alongside Hollywood giants Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman, Timberlake’s agent Ken Sunshine said.

Filming will begin on March 8 in Vancouver, Canada, with the movie scheduled for release next year.

“After many years of looking at many scripts, he’s decided on what we think is a terrific project,” Mr Sunshine said.

“You can judge by the quality of the people associated with the film the direction he’s headed as he begins his film career.”

The former ’N Sync singer will play a young reporter who discovers an elite team of corrupt police officers.

Freeman plays the veteran reporter who helps him, and Spacey plays the district attorney’s top investigator.

Asked how Timberlake would cope with his new role, Mr Sunshine said: “Justin’s 22. I don’t think anybody has handled the kind of success he’s had in their 22 years better than he has.”

Timberlake won Grammys for male pop vocal performance for Cry Me a River and pop vocal album for his solo debut, Justified, on Sunday night.