Showtime enlists in 'Soldier'

'Conspiracy's' Pierson to helm Nyswaner-penned script

By MELISSA GREGO

HOLLYWOOD -- Showtime has greenlit "Soldier's Girl," an original movie based on a true story of a gay man in the military.

Frank Pierson, who directed HBO's "Conspiracy," is directing; Ron Nyswaner ("Philadelphia") wrote the pic and is co-producing; and Linda Gottlieb and Doro Bachrach are exec producing.

Pic is likely to preem on the pay-cable network in the first half of 2003.

Thesps Troy Garity ("Bandits"), Lee Pace ("Cutting Loose") and Shawn Hatosy ("Outside Providence") will star in the film about the life of Barry Winchell, a 21-year-old soldier who was beaten to death after falling in love with a transgendered nightclub performer.

Garity will portray Winchell, Pace will play the nightclub performer, and Hatosy will take on the role of Winchell's roommate.

The film is a Bachrach/Gottlieb production. Joan Boorstein is the creative exec on behalf of Showtime Networks.