Movie based on 'Fab Five' cheerleading scandal begins filming

A movie based on the cheerleading scandal that led to the resignation of a McKinney North High School principal and assistant principal has received the greenlight from a major cable television network.

Lifetime Television ordered production on an original made-for-TV movie called "Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal" based on the events of the McKinney North School High School cheerleading scandal involving former principal Linda Theret and former cheerleading coach Michaela Ward, according to a statement released by the network on Friday.

A network representative who asked not to be identified said filming began last week in New Orleans, La.

The film, slated to air sometime this summer, stars actresses Tatum O'Neal as the principal, Jenna Dewan as her daughter and captain of the cheerleading squad and Ashley Benson as the cheerleading coach. Screenwriter Teena Booth, who has previously written another Lifetime telefilm in 2006, provided the screenplay for the film and Tom McLoughlin, a director of several television and film projects including TV shows such as "Amazing Stories" and "Without a Trace," the TV movie "D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear" and the film "Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI," is directing the film, according to the statement.

The film is based on the events of the McKinney North High School cheerleading scandal that broke in 2006 and quickly received national exposure and led to the eventual resignations of Theret and assistant principal Richard Brunner.

Tanya Lopez, senior vice president of Lifetime Original Movies, said they felt the story of both the film and the real life events on which the film is based carry an important message for parents.

"The real life story of these characters shocked many when the story broke, not only for their racy and inappropriate behavior, but also for the inaction of the school's administrators and parents," Lopez said in the statement. "We hope this movie reminds parents how important it is to set limits on their children."

Ward said she was aware of the film, but declined to comment on it.

"I'm not going to talk about it at all," Ward said.

For more information, see Sunday's edition of the McKinney Courier-Gazette.

Contact Danny Gallagher at dgallagher@acnpapers.com.

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