Christina Hendricks, Jenny McCarthy in race to play Anna Nicole Smith?

London: `Mad Men` star Christina Hendricks and Jenny McCarthy are rumoured to be among the actresses battling to play tragic star Anna Nicole Smith in a new TV movie.

TV bosses at America`s Lifetime network are bringing the model-actress` story to the small screen in a biopic and a number of famous faces are in contention for the lead role, reported a website. "They are neck and neck. The producers love them both and it could come down to a final audition to determine who will get one of the most sought-after parts in Hollywood right now. Both women really wowed the producers, who were especially bowled over by how strikingly similar Christina with a blonde wig looked to Anna Nicole," a source said. ‘The Artist’ actor James Cromwell is rumoured to be signing up to play Smith`s wealthy older husband, Texan billionaire J Howard Marshall, who died at the age of 90 just 14 months after their marriage. Smith died at the age of 39 in 2007 after a drug overdose. Her life story was previously told in an opera which ran at London`s famous Royal Opera House last year. PTI