Tennessee in Cyrus’ sights

Singer Billy Ray Cyrus wants his daughter’s upcoming “Hannah Montana” film to be shot in Tennessee, but state officials say they might not be able to offer the producers enough financial incentives.

The film, based on the wildly popular Disney TV series, is scheduled to start shooting in April.

In the series, 14-year-old Miley Cyrus plays a high school student, Miley Stewart, who moves from Tennessee to Southern California and lives a secret double life as a pop star.

Billy Ray Cyrus says the movie is centered on the fictional Stewart family’s return to Tennessee, and he considers it only fitting for the film to be shot there.

Perry Gibson, executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission, said the state could benefit from having the movie shot locally. But Tennessee is limited in what incentives it can offer, she said, and may not be able to match the aggressive program that Louisiana has had in recent years to bring film business to that state.