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Kristin: The Next Daisy Duke?

05/26/2006 at 07:00 AM EDT

First, former Laguna Beach star Kristin Cavallari was linked with Jessica Simpson's ex-husband – and now she's being eyed for Simpson's movie role.

Bill Gerber, the producer of last year's The Dukes of Hazzard, tells PEOPLE in its new issue that he is working on a prequel to the movie that brought Simpson (and her rear view) film fame – and he thinks Cavallari, 19, would fill out those Daisy Duke shorts quite nicely.

"She's at the top of the list," he says. "I like her innocence and her beauty."

Why not just stick with Simpson, 25? "It's a prequel, like Batman (Begins)," he says. "We're going for a whole new cast."

Simpson and husband Nick Lachey, 32, announced in November 2005 that they were separating. In March, Lachey and Cavallari were spotted flirting at various restaurants and parties – although Cavallari told PEOPLE, "There's nothing to talk about, there's nothing going on. He's a nice guy, but I'd have to say we're just friends."

Reps for Cavallari and Simpson did not return calls.