Lindsay Lohan confirmed to play Elizabeth Taylor

Star will portray the screen icon in TV movie 'Liz And Dick'

The Mean Girls star has long been rumoured to play portray the screen icon in the TV movie for US channel Lifetime. But now she has signed on for the role in the project, called Liz And Dick, which will follow her tempestuous relationship with Richard Burton, according to Deadline. There is no indication yet as to who will play Burton.

Lohan said in a press release: "I have always admired and had enormous respect for Elizabeth Taylor. She was not only an incredible actress but an amazing woman as well. I am very honoured to have been asked to play this role."

Like Taylor, Lohan is a former child star who has endured a tumultuous life and career of highs and lows. Since she made her first appearance in Disney's 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, she has enjoyed acclaim for her roles in Freaky Friday and Mean Girls. But her career has been marred by rehab spells and jail time.

Taylor and Burton met on the set of Cleopatra, and ditched their respective spouses to start a stormy affair that would see them marry and divorce twice. Taylor died last March aged 79.