O'Neal signs up for Lifetime movie

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Lifetime Television has ordered production on the original movie, "Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal," starring Tatum O'Neal, the U.S. cable channel said.

O'Neal earned an Oscar as a child for her performance in the film, "Paper Moon." More recently, she had a recurring role on the TV firefighter drama, "Rescue Me."

Jenna Dewan and Ashley Benson have also been cast in the "Fab Five" film, which is based on a true story and is set to air this summer on Lifetime Television.

The network said the movie is about a gutsy young teacher who attempts to restore order in a school at which five beautiful and well-connected cheerleaders do whatever they want without consequence.

O'Neal will play the school's principal, while Dewan will play the teacher and Benson one of the cheerleaders.

"The real-life story of these cheerleaders shocked many when the story broke, not only for their racy and inappropriate behavior, but also for the inaction of the school's administrators and parents," Tanya Lopez, Lifetime's senior vice president of original movies, said in a statement Friday. "We hope this movie reminds parents how important it is to set limits on their children."