More Oscar Bait: Swank to Star in Betty Anne Waters

Hilary Swank, ready to go downtrodden yet determined, again.

Variety reports Hilary Swank has signed on to star in Betty Anne Waters, a based on a true life story to be directed by Tony Goldwyn. Pamela Gray wrote the script.

The ripped from the below-the-fold-headlines drama is about a high school dropout who, between raising kids and waitressing, goes to law school and becomes a lawyer so she can take up the case of her imprisoned brother, who she believes has been falsely convicted.

This is the type of part that most actresses take when they’ve been successful but just haven’t been able to nail down that Oscar–you might call it Erin Brockovich syndrome. But of course, Swank already has two Oscars. I guess she’s now just in the habit of picking roles based on their earnestness and tear jerkability.