Bette Midler to play Mae West, and R. Patz finds a new job

Bette Midler is somewhere perfecting a sassy drawl.

The actress has been tapped to portray Hollywood legend Mae West in a new biopic that's being developed at HBO.

Variety reports that the film will be based on West's 1959 autobiography "Good Had Nothing To Do With It," published 21 years before West died at 87. The as-yet-untitled biopic will concentrate on the star's early years, particularly her risque and criticized Rialto show "Sex."

In addition to starring in the film, Midler will also executive produce along with Jerry Weintraub, who oversaw HBO's award-winning Liberace telepic, "Behind the Candelabra." Oscar winner William Friedkin will exec produce in addition to directing the biopic, the script for which will be written by Harvey Fierstein.

In other casting news, former "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson is still trying to shed his sparkly past with another drama. The  27-year-old actor is set to star in a film that focuses on the upbringing of "a post World War I leader," so your guess is as good as ours as to who that could be.

The title doesn't offer any hints, either. Called "The Childhood of a Leader," the project will be directed by Sundance darling Brady Corbet, who also co-wrote "Childhood's" script with Mona Fastvold.

Also featuring Juliette Binoche and Tim Roth, "The Childhood of a Leader" is expected to start shooting in Europe in May.