Timberlake: 'N Sync Reunion Due in 2004

By Stephen M. Silverman

Monday October 20, 2003 01:30 AM EDT

Just because Justin Timberlake's solo career continues to generate heat doesn't mean that 'N Sync is a thing of the past, the 22-year-old "Cry Me a River" star assures Launch.com.

True, the members of the boy band have spent the past 18 months doing their own thing, including Joey Fatone's turn on Broadway in "Rent" and his contribution to the soundtrack for the William H. Macy movie "The Cooler" (due Nov. 11).

But Timberlake insists that 'N Sync will regroup and record a new album next year -- just as soon as JC Chasez releases his own solo album.

"I think we were anticipating JC's solo record coming out a little bit earlier," Timberlake, 22, tells Launch. "But I think he's planning on releasing it some time around March. You know, I've heard a couple of tracks, and I think they're great records, so I want him to have every opportunity that I had to kind of do his own thing and explore those possibilities."

Meanwhile, Timberlake concluded his Lovin' It Live theater tour Sunday in his hometown of Memphis, Tenn., and he will kick off his European tour in Belgium on Nov. 16.

He also is contemplating playing Elton John in a proposed biopic being written by the English rocker and his longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin.

"Justin did such a great job in the video of 'This Train Don't Stop There Anymore,'" John, 56, is quoted as saying on the Teen Hollywood Web site. "It actually was so close to me, it gave me the chills when I watched it."

A spokesman for Justin is quoted as saying, "He is really excited about it and will seriously consider taking the role."