After winning an Oscar for Walk The Line, it seems Reese Witherspoon reckons musical biopics are a good bet, as Variety reports that she’s signed on to play Peggy Lee in a film about the singer/songwriter/composer/actress, whose career spanned nearly seven decades and who is regarded as one of the most influential jazz artists of all time.
Sleepless in Seattle and Julie & Julia’s Nor Ephron will write and direct the film, although it’s Witherspoon who got the thing going, meeting with Lee’s grand-daughter and securing the rights to Peggy’s life story. Although the singer doesn’t come with the usual trappings of a musical biopic, such as drug addiction and early death, she was an incredible force in the increidbly male dominated music world, scoring no. 1s not just as a singer, but also by writing hits for other artists, and becoming a mentor and inspiration to everyone from Frank Sinatra to Paul McCartney.
She also wasn’t afraid to change, starting off as a big band singer, moving through jazz, and doing covers of rock ‘n’ roll songs when they became popular. She also acted, including voicing several characters in Lady & The Tramp. There’s no news on when the film might get made, but it could be one to watch out for.