AceShowbiz - Singer Nelly Furtado is preparing to make her big-screen debut - as a crazed hockey fan. Director Michael McGowan has written a special role for Furtado in his new film, "Score: A Hockey Musical", about the national sport.

The "Maneater" hitmaker, who was born and raised in Canada, will play a woman obsessed with the game, while Olivia Newton-John plays the mother of a young hockey player. McGowan says, "Nelly is an incredible entertainer and, after speaking with her, I realised that she fully relished embracing her inner hockey fanatic."

McGowan, who wrote the script and lyrics for the upcoming musical, has also given Canadian singers Marc Jordan and Hawksley Workman parts. Filming is due to begin in Toronto, Canada later this month. Noah Reid also joins the cast ensemble.