Bono Making ‘Million Dollar’ Crossover

Remember when people thought Bono just wanted to be God?

Now he wants to be Joe Eszterhas.

Yes, U2’s singer has written a screenplay, and he’s got no less than esteemed German director Wim Wenders set to direct it. Production on the film, titled “The Million Dollar Hotel,” will probably begin this summer, after Wenders has finished producing veteran director Michelangelo Antonioni’s film “Par Dela Les Nuages.”

But no, Bono is not expected to take an on-screen role in the project. A London representative of U2 says that there has been no talk of the Irish rock idol’s acting in the film, and it’s uncertain whether he or U2 will even contribute any music.

“I think they feel that might seem a little too incestuous,” said spokeswoman Regine Moylett, who added that she doesn’t know any specifics about the script.

As U2 fans already know, Bono has been a longtime fan of Wenders. He has often cited in interviews his affection for Wenders’ 1988 film “Wings of Desire,” which included music and appearances from such edgy rockers as Nick Cave.

The band wrote and recorded the haunted title track for Wenders’ next film, 1991’s “Until the End of the World.” The group also wrote a song, “Stay,” for “Far Away, So Close,” the 1993 sequel to “Wings.” The director returned the favor, shooting a video for “Stay.”

The script-only angle is a new twist on the great history of rockers-turned-cinematic-figures--a tradition dating back to Elvis Presley and the Beatles. Among the rock stars who have tried to step over onto the silver screen: David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Sting and Madonna.

Wenders was unavailable for comment, and a representative of his Road Films company in Berlin said that it is “too early” to discuss details about the Bono project.