Jennifer Lopez preparing return to big screen

Los Angeles: Following her appearance last season on Fox television`s `American Idol`, singer and actress Jennifer Lopez is in negotiations for two film roles, show-business newspaper Variety reported Wednesday.

Lopez is set to co-star with Jason Statham in action film `Parker` and will be part of an ensemble cast in the comedy `What to Expect When You`re Expecting`. Both films are scheduled to be shot during the gap between seasons of "American Idol", though it remains unclear if JLo plans to return to the hit reality show. Lopez`s latest film, `The Back-Up Plan`, premiered in April 2010 and was a disappointment at the box office, grossing less than $40 million. Reputed to be one of Hollywood`s best-paid actresses, Lopez has yet to be in a film that has reached the $100 million benchmark in the US, Variety said. She came closest with the 2002 romantic comedy `Maid in Manhattan`, which brought in more than $94 million, while "Monster in Law" (2005) topped $80 million in US receipts. Lopez signed a $12 million contract with `American Idol`, according to People magazine. IANS