'N Development

But 'N Syncer JC Chasez says the risk of movie failure is outweighed by the chance to add some variety to their studio/touring grind. ''We're just trying to grow artistically and have some fun,'' he tells EW Online. ''We've pretty much been doing our music in full swing for five or six years as 'N Sync, so we want to push ourselves and see what we're capable of.''

Chasez says he and his band mates -- most of whom already have TV acting experience -- have learned from other musicians' big screen mistakes. ''A lot of the movies that were cheesy were done cheesy,'' he says. ''And we're not doing anything halfway as far as this movie is concerned. To do something great, you've got to go for it.''

He says the group will be cowriting and coproducing the feature (and will also have a hand in casting), but will let more experienced players guide them away from any big screen goofs. ''We're very creative thinkers, brainstorming all the time, and this is going to be a fully 'N Sync involved movie,'' Chasez says. ''But we're going to hire acting coaches, and we're not going to do anything that's too awkward for us.''

Even so, they WILL be taking a few creative risks. ''We're not playing ourselves in the movie, so it'll be interesting to see how people respond to seeing us in a new light,'' says Chasez. And while he won't say more about the developing project, band mate Justin Timberlake reveals that the group's vocal talents may come into play: ''I think it would be fun to see a musical, and you'll definitely see some of that in the movie. But it definitely needs to be done in a way that's more year 2000, so to speak.''

Fans of the group's music needn't worry, however, that a hit movie will cause members to split for solo acting careers. ''We're a group first, and we'll work together as a group forever,'' says Chasez. ''Lance does little projects on the side [Bass will appear on ''Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'' on May 4], but anything major is pretty much a group thing.'' Keep your schedule clear, guys -- we're betting Disney already has ''The Five Musketeers'' in development.