Dornhelm to direct ‘Foxy Knoxy’ flick

A celebrated Austrian film director will turn a convicted murderer’s life story into a movie, it has emerged.Robert Dornhelm is reportedly already engaged in pre-production preparations for a TV film project with the working title “The Amanda Knox Story”.The film – set to be screened next year – will be based on the life of US American exchange student Amanda Knox who was sentenced to 26 years in jail for the murder of her flatmate Meredith Kercher last year.Knox, her Italian ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were found guilty of sexually abusing Kercher before Knox – nicknamed “Foxy Knoxy” by tabloid newspapers – slashed the Brit’s throat in the 2007 incident in the Italian city of Bologna after she refused to join a kinky group sex game. Sollecito, 25, is currently serving a 25-year term.Now it has been revealed that Dornhelm, who was born in the Romania city of Timisoara, will be in the director’s seat at the upcoming film project.The 21-year-old victim’s father John Kercher said: “I don’t like the idea of a film based on Meredith’s death. Seeing it graphically portrayed (…) is a horrible thought.”Dornhelm – a cousin of former Vienna State Opera director Ioan Holender – created acclaimed 2001 TV series “Anne Frank: The Whole Story” and a television adaption of Leo Tolstoi’s “War and Peace” (2007).The screenplay is being penned by Wendy Battles who has produced TV hits such as “Law & Order”.Up and coming actress Hayden Panettiere (“Heroes”) will star as Knox who always denied the killing.”Bobby” star Lindsay Lohan, Megan Fox (“Transformers”) and Kristen Stewart (“Twilight”) had been rumoured to take on the role before Panettiere – who is dating world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko – was assigned.Meanwhile, it was also uncovered that Knox will star in a Christmas show for jail mates in Capanne prison on the outskirts of Perugia, Italy.Her music teacher told local media that the 23-year-old was set to sing a solo. “She’s an outstanding soprano with an amazing voice,” he said.