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Report: Former Gov. Blanco to get star treatment

A celebrity gossip website is reporting that Hollywood star Julia Roberts is in discussions to play former Gov. Kathleen Blanco in a television bio-pic centered on Blanco’s handling of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

A celebrity gossip website — someone sent us the link, we swear! — is reporting that Hollywood star Julia Roberts is in discussions to play former Gov. Kathleen Blanco in a television bio-pic centered on Blanco’s handling of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

The 2005 storm killed more than 1,000 residents of New Orleans and led to one of the largest mass displacements of a population in American history. Blanco has long felt, and has publicly stated, that she believes her handling of the storm was mis-characterized by political opponents, largely as a means of deflecting attention away from the disastrous performance of former President George W. Bush and the Federal Emergency Management Agency a la “heckuva job, Brownie.”

According to RadarOnline:

An insider exclusively revealed the Erin Brockovich actress is in final talks with American Crime Story boss Ryan Murphy, who wants her to star in a new production.

“Julia is seriously attracted to this role, which would see her cast as former Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco,” revealed the insider of the part based on the politician who was heavily criticized for how she handled the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005.

“Ryan is keen to offer a bold new take on the tragedy, and he can’t think of anyone better than Julia to do it,” continued the source.

“He’s been wooing her for a very long time, telling her it’s the perfect opportunity for her to do some impactful TVv.”

The two powerhouses are now “working out the financial terms” of the deal, but Roberts, 48, is “extremely interested” in the project and will likely sign on.