For years now there’s been talk of remaking A Star Is Born (for the fourth time), and while numerous names have been linked to the major roles of an up and coming actress/musician, who is taken under the wing of an alcoholic star whose career is on the skids, for a while now it’s been Beyonce who’s been the subject of most of the rumours.
Last year Warner Bros hired Will Fetters to write a new version of the script, but we haven’t heard much since then. However now comes news that will hopefully get the movie out of its never-ending pre-production limbo, as Deadline reports the slightly surprising news that Clint Eastwood has signed on to direct a musical version, with Beyonce is the lead role.
That suggests that while the first two versions of the movie (one in 1938 starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March and the second, most famous, coming in 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason) focussed on a rising actress and falling actor, this version will follow the lead of the 1976 Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson version, which told the story in the context of the popular music scene.
Eastwood has long been known for his interest in music, making the likes of Honkytonk Man and Bird, and writing the scores for many of his more recent films (although we’ll ignore his singing role in Paint Your Wagon, which wasn’t as much of a success). However this would be his first real musical as a director.
The main male role is yet to be filled, although Deadline mention Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Hamm as names that have been floating around. Will Smith’s was previously mentioned when Beyonce’s name first came up, but it appears he’s no longer in the frame.
Eastwood wants to shoot this autumn, so expect to hear plenty more soon.