Chris O'Dowd attracted to Sapphires

LONDON -- Irish actor Chris O'Dowd (''Bridesmaids'') will star in ''The Sapphires,'' directed by Wayne Blair, a movie version from the hit Australian stage musical. Occur 1968 and inspired by real occasions, it is the story of the girl band plucked from obscurity inside a remote Aboriginal mission by an unlikely Irish talent scout. He brands them as Australia's response to the Supremes, and takes these phones entertain the troops in Vietnam. Deborah Postman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell take part in the four performers. Pic, which begins shooting this month around australia and Vietnam, is scripted by Keith Thompson and Tony Briggs, and created by Rosemary oil Blight and Kylie du Fresne of Goalpost Pictures Australia. It's funded by Singapore-based IFS Capital, Screen Australia, Screen NSW, the Melbourne Worldwide Film Festival Premiere Fund, E-Film Australia and eOne's Hopscotch Films. Tristan Whalley of Goalpost Films United kingdom is handling worldwide sales. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com