American Idol creator strikes deal with Twilight star

Simon Fuller, the creator of the American Idol television show, is making his first move into Hollywood after striking a deal with Robert Pattinson, the star of the Twilight films.

Mr Fuller, chief executive of 19 Entertainment, will executive produce Bel Ami, which will also star Nicole Kidman.

Mr Fuller has become one of the most powerful figures in US television thanks to the success of American Idol , which has topped ratings for the last seven years. But although he has been courted by several studios, he has never produced a Hollywood movie.

"I have been planning to get more active in the film industry for quite some time and have patiently waited for the right moment," he told the Financial Times. "I am now establishing a new film company and have a number of exciting projects in development."

He has been plotting his Hollywood move with Creative Artists Agency, the talent group that has represented him for the last 20 years. The agency also represents George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg.

He could not have picked a more in-demand star for his first film than Robert Pattinson. The first film in the Twilight series was one the biggest hits of 2008. New Moon , the sequel, is released this month.

Mr Fuller was brought into the Bel Ami project after a meeting with Uberto Pasolini, who is also producing the film. Bel Ami is likely to be followed by other production deals involving Mr Fuller.

CKX (NASDAQ: CKXE - news) , which owns 19 Entertainment, controls the rights to the life stories of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali. More than one studio is known to be interested in a new movie that looks at Presley's early life.

Mr Fuller created the Spice Girls, guiding the group to chart success around the world. He also represents David Beckham and masterminded his transfer from Real Madrid to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

He is also a long-time friend of Simon Cowell, the acid-tongued judge on American Idol. When Mr Cowell launched The X Factor on British television, a singing contest with a slightly different format to American Idol, Mr Fuller claimed the idea was copied. The dispute ended in the courts but at the eleventh hour a settlement was agreed.

Mr Cowell is currently in talks on a new deal to appear as a judge on American Idol and is also seeking to renew his contract with Sony (Munich: 853687 - news) , which owns The X Factor TV programme.

Mr Cowell is being advised by Philip Green, the UK retail billionaire who owns Top Shop. Mr Green and Mr Cowell are in talks with Fox, the television network that is owned by News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS - news) , about bringing The X Factor to the US.