Scoop: 'Precious' Director Lee Daniels Eyeing 'Miss Saigon' Movie

Iron-hot director Lee Daniels is setting his eyes on the adaptation of the hit stage musical "Miss Saigon" for the big screen. As most of you know already, the musical is a retelling of Puccini’s opera “Madame Butterfly” about an American GI and a Vietnamese bar girl falling in love in the midst of the Vietnam War. Former United Artists CEO Paula Wagner is set to produce the adaptation.

This piece of news will surely get bigger come Oscar 2010 when Daniels’ career hit supernova status on the strength of his latest film, the awards-bait “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire”.

Now, since this is not a Viva Films production with Joel Lamangan at the helm I’m dashing all hopes of Lea Salonga starring in it. Here’s an unsolicited casting advice though (Paula Wagner, I hope you’re reading this): For the role of Vietnamese bar girl Kim, I’m putting my money on: Vanessa Ann Hudgens!

Think about this: Vanessa’s a hot teen star with the pipes to sing “Sun and Moon” and has box office potential.  Plus, she’s a half-breed and is kind of whorish. For the GI role, let it be…Zac Efron! Now, they got themselves a hit! Take that, Disney!