Paris Hilton to Show Off Her Bling in Sofia Coppola’s Next Film?

Sofia Coppola has a definitive eye for casting memorable leading ladies, from Scarlett Johansson in ‘Lost in Translation’ to Elle Fanning in the meditative ‘Somewhere.’ So while this next bit of casting news gives me pause, I guess we’ll have to trust Coppola’s track record and prepare to be surprised.

Coppola’s currently shooting ‘The Bling Ring,’ an upcoming crime thriller (which, already, seems out of her comfort zone) about celeb-obsessed teenagers who use the Internet to track the movements of their favorite icons … mainly so that they can rob them. It’s reportedly based on a true story, and allegedly stars Emma Watson, Leslie Mann and frequent collaborator Kirsten Dunst (though IMDB has all of them as “rumored,” so stay tuned for confirmation).

Now The Playlist brings news that socialite and spotlight hog Paris Hilton has filmed a cameo as herself for the film. Hilton was one of the actual victims of the teens Coppola’s portraying in ‘Bling Ring,’ and the filmmaker wanted an actual victim to appear as themselves in the semi-fictional version of the story. Reports estimate that the ‘Bling Ring’ kids made off with as much as $3 million during their criminal run. Insiders at Sky News go so far as to say Hilton’s scene was shot at the Sayers Club, where she appeared opposite Watson and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, who plays "a shady club promoter."

I guess if you need to cast Hilton in anything, playing herself on screen is the most feasible option. Of course, the hotel heiress has such memorable features as ‘Repo! The Genetic Opera’ and ‘The Hottie and the Nottie’ on her acting resume. But she’s reality a “reality” TV star, for what that’s worth.

We’ll keep tracking ‘Bling Ring,’ which Playlist suggests could make it into theaters by the end of 2012, but is more likely to wait until next year to open near you.