Forget a singing career, American Idol appears to be a better jumping ground for acting. So far, one Idol contestant has gone on to win an Oscar, and now Season 5 runner-up Katherine McPhee is building up a movie career. Currently, she's working on the comedy I Know What Boys Like (aka the Anna Faris Playboy Bunny movie), in which she plays a pregnant hippie in need of a makeover, and she just told MTV that she already has her next project lined up. Titled Success, the indie drama begins shooting in November, and the singer-actress compared its dark style to that of the Coen Brothers and Jim Jarmusch. She also said it features great writing and well-developed, quirky characters. Unfortunately, she couldn't give away any of the film's plot or much else, really, but she did reveal a bit about her character, which she says is a nice, sweet girl who seems to end up having to compete for the attention of a guy, though she admits it is much more complicated than that. Could Success be the same thing as "the dark romantic comedy" The Last Caller, which was announced back in June as McPhee's big-screen debut? Maybe.

McPhee isn't about to concentrate solely on her acting career, though, and already has plans for her second album, with which she wants to become the female John Mayer. Of course, Mayer doesn't do movies in addition to making music, even though he should (he was a great Henry Higgins in 6th grade -- I should know, I played his butler -- hmm, I wouldn't mind playing McPhee's butler, but in real life ... ). Meanwhile, Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks probably won't last as long in the limelight, considering he had the lowest-selling Idol debut, and doesn't seem to be trying for a film career. I have to salute McPhee, who was also rumored to be considered for the role of Wonder Woman, for being able to transcend her Idol loss -- if for nothing else, hers and Jennifer Hudson's success with movies should certainly make everyone dismiss From Justin to Kelly as a reason not to go from Idol to Hollywood.

American Idol runner-up Katherine McPhee has decided the time is right to finally make her big-screen debut, and the Hollywood Reporter tells us she'll be doing so in the indie dark romantic comedy The Last Caller. Although the singer/songwriter (who finished second behind Taylor "Why Do I Twitch So Much" Hicks on the hit TV show two seasons ago) claims she's "up for a couple of big studio projects," McPhee was eager to make her first on-screen appearance in a starring role. (Guess someone wasn't keen on playing Mall Girl #5 in next summer's Iron Man -- not that we know she was offered it, but I imagine that's the type of stuff heading her way.)

Written by Michael Albanese, the story (as HR describes it) doesn't make much sense. They call it a "coming-of-age tale about a self-obsessed woman (McPhee) who searches for love, hope and meaning during a few random events with other urban seekers." Huh? What the f**k is that supposed to mean? Three gold stars to anyone (an "urban seeker," perhaps?) who can tell me what in the world this film is going to be about. With a budget that will fall somewhere between $5 million-$8 million, pic is scheduled to begin shooting this fall in and around New York. Hit and Run Prods. will produce along with Zenith Film Group, and the great Robert Hawk will serve as an associate producer (Hawk's involvement definitely makes me feel a bit better about the whole thing). What say you Idol fans -- does McPhee have what it takes to become the next big thing?