Holmes All Set for Post-'Dawson's' Role

By Stephen M. Silverman

04/24/2003 at 11:00 AM EDT

"Dawson's Creek" star Katie Holmes won't be hard up for work when her WB series ends in May. Next up: a role in director Forest Whitaker's romantic comedy "First Daughter," says the Hollywood Reporter.

The actress, 24, who currently can be seen with Colin Farrell in "Phone Booth," will play the college-age daughter of the American president who goes to school and finds her Prince Charming -- only to discover he has his own secret plans for her.

The film is scheduled to start shooting in mid-May, and is set for release next January. Among her other movie projects, Holmes also is starring in "The Singing Detective," starring Robert Downey Jr., and "Pieces of April," both due out later this year.

As for that finale, as PEOPLE.com reported in February, the episode will project characters Dawson, Joey, Jen, Pacey and others several years into the future.

Holmes, who plays Joey, and her costar, James Van Der Beek, who plays Dawson, personally approached the six-year-old show's creator, Kevin Williamson, and asked him to put together the May 14 two-hour finale.

"Without hesitation, I said, 'Absolutely,'" Williamson, 37, told the Hollywood Reporter at the time. He then collaborated with series writer Maggie Friedman for the finale.