When Steve Martin revives the role of Inspector Jacques Clouseau in the upcoming The Pink Panther prequel, the object of his affection will be none other than the bootylicious R&B singer, according to an MGM spokesperson.

Beyoncé will play a pop star named Xania whose boyfriend is the owner of the infamous Pink Panther diamond. When he is found dead and the diamond turns up missing, she becomes a suspect.

Clouseau comes into the picture when Chief Inspector Dreyfus, played by Kevin Kline, needs him to take over the investigation. To keep tabs on the accident-prone investigator, Dreyfus hires Ponton, portrayed by veteran French actor Jean Reno (Mission: Impossible,The Professional), to be Clouseau's right-hand man. The investigation is, of course, hindered when Clouseau meets Xania and is immediately smitten by the beautiful singer.

Shawn Levy (Cheaper by the Dozen) is directing the comedy, a prequel to the 1963 original, which launched the classic series with Peter Sellers as Clouseau.

"The Pink Panther" will film in New York and Paris beginning in May, after Beyoncé wraps the Ladies First Tour with Alicia Keys and Missy Elliott.  The movie will delay Beyoncé's return to the studio with Destiny's Child by at least a month .

Credits:Corey Moss