BRITNEY SPEARS - BRITNEY EYES ACTING RETURN

BRITNEY EYES ACTING RETURN

Britney Spears may be viewing the silver screen as the answer to all her problems.

Despite enduring what is widely regarded as a truly terrible 2007, it seems Spears is determined to bounce back next year with a new role originally viewed as being perfect for one of her showbiz pals.

Lindsay Lohan had originally been pencilled in to play the girlfriend of a troubled mental-illness patient in Memoirs of a Medicated Child.

But producers have realised the enormous pulling power of Spears and are now mulling ditching Lohan.

Director Tommy Parker told the New York Post: "As far as Britney's concerned, we're talking."

Is acting really the way forward for the Toxic star? Her previous film appearances have mainly been restricted to performance-only cameos, as in Austin Powers: Goldmember.

The 2002 movie Crossroads saw her play Lucy Wagner in a performance many critics said put her acting career back several years.

But a comeback could now be on the cards. Britney was seen preparing for her role by shopping in New York.