Deadline Hollywood reports that the Divine Miss M, Bette Midler will be starring as legendary screen star Mae West in an upcoming HBO biopic.

The Divine Miss M. is taking on the great Mae West. HBO Films has put in development Mae West, a movie about the true Hollywood original, with Bette Midler attached to star and executive produce. The project is the brainchild of William Friedkin (The Exorcist), who will direct and executive produce. Broadway heavyweight Harvey Fierstein, who recently penned the book for Tony-winning musical Kinky Boots, is writing the script. Also executive producing is Jerry Weintraub, who executive produced HBO Films’ Emmy-winning Behind The Candelabra. Mae West, based on West’s autobiography: Goodness Had Nothing To Do With It, chronicles West’s rise to stardom when she takes New York by storm after writing and starring in her scandalous Broadway show Sex and battles authorities over obscenity charges.

And before all the haters start in.  YES, Mae West was  in her early 30’s when she did the show Sex on Broadway. But if ANYONE was ever meant to play Mae West its Bette Midler.  Shes been playing West all her life and will be the first to admit it.