Cher to sing onscreen in 'Burlesque' with Christina Aguilera

Cher returns to the big screen for the first time in six years.

Credit: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian

The musical icon, and yes,  Oscar-winner hasn't appeared on the big screen since the Farrelly Bros. 2003 comedy "Stuck on You."  Now, the pop star, who seems to continually retire from live performing, has two new movie projects in the works.

According to Variety, Cher will first star opposite Christina Aguilera in "Burlesque," a contemporary musical about an dreamer from Iowa (Aguilera) who grows up in a modern dance club on the Sunset Strip. Cher will play Tess, a former dancer who struggles to keep the club afloat and gives Aguilera's character her, um, big break. 

More surprising than her acting once again is the fact that Cher will sing in the new movie.  "Burlesque" actually marks the first time she's ever sang in a movie she appeared in (the closing credits song for "Mermaids" doesn't count).

Cher won an Academy Award for her performance in 1987's "Moonstruck" but then spent the better part of a decade re-focusing on her music career.  Her limited, but strong resume includes roles in "The Witches of Eastwick," "Suspect," "Mask" and "Silkwood."

The Screen Gems project will be directed by Steven Austin from his original script.  Production will begin in November, after Cher has finished a majority of her busy touring and performing schedule.

Besides her live action return, Cher is also set to provide her vocal skills to MGM's new comedy "The Zookeeper."  She'll portray a giraffe.  The comedy will hit theaters in October of 2010.