Helen Mirren subs for Midler in HBO Phil Spector biopic

Helen Mirren subs for Midler in HBO Phil Spector biopic

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 04: Actress Helen Mirren (L) and consultant Linda Kenney Baden onstage during the 'Phil Spector' panel discussion at the HBO portion of the 2013 Winter TCA Tourduring 2013 Winter TCA Tour - Day 1 at Langham Hotel on January 4, 2013 in Pasadena, California. 

PASADENA, Calif. â€" No Bette Midler? 

When Midler had back problems that forced her to drop out of HBO’s upcoming movie on Phil Spector, titled “Spector,” the producers fortunately had a Plan B: Mirren. 

We should all plan so well. 

The British actress is better known for elegant BBC productions than the crazy world of the convicted record producer, which premieres next month. But she told TV critics here she enjoyed the ride â€" and that having no time to research the role wasn’t a problem.

“It’s a strange amalgamation of imagination and reality,” Mirren told TV critics here. “The imaginative part, I think, is as important as the realistic element.” 

Mirren plays Linda Kenney Baden, the attorney who represented Spector in his first trial for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. 

That ended in a mistrial. Spector was convicted in a second trial and is currently imprisoned. He was not involved in the production of the film.