Hillary, The Movie

If you don't want to bother with the book, there's a Hillary Rodham Clinton TV movie in the works.

A&E announced Thursday that it will make a two-hour movie on the New York senator and former first lady that is expected to air in early 2004.

No one has been cast yet, but producers have already talked with Sharon Stone about the title role, according to a source close to the production who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A&E's announcement comes just days before Clinton's book, "Living History," is scheduled to hit bookstores. The senator will be seen in TV interviews with Barbara Walters, Katie Couric and Larry King in next few days.

The A&E movie will be based on a different book, though: Gail Sheehy's best seller, "Hillary's Choice."

The movie begins with the start of husband Bill Clinton's presidency and "will focus on Hillary's quest to fulfill her own high hopes and ambitions as she repeatedly faces humiliating personal setbacks," the network said. It ends with her election to the U.S. Senate.

"It's a fascinating story and one that has absolutely captured the imagination of the public," said Robert DeBitetto, senior vice president of programming for A&E.

A&E is known for its "Biography" series, but DeBitetto stressed that "Hillary's Choice" will not be a documentary. The cable network has been struggling in the ratings the last few years and is eager for attention.

He said no casting decisions have been made on, for instance, the actress playing Monica Lewinsky.

"We're open to suggestions," he said.