According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dave Chappelle (Chi-Raq) has joined the cast of A Star is Born. Warner Bros’ new remake of the classic film stars three-time Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper (American Sniper), who is making his directorial debut on the film. Singer-songwriter Lady Gaga, making her major feature film debut, stars opposite Cooper. Sam Elliott (FX’s Justified) and Andrew Dice Clay (Entourage) are also in the cast.
A Star is Born has had several film incarnations beginning in the 1930s. Arguably the most famous version was the Judy Garland-James Mason starrer in 1954. The story centers on a new talent on her way to stardom (Lady Gaga) while her mentor/alcoholic lover/former celebrity is on his way to becoming a has-been (Cooper). Elliott will play the couple’s benevolent manager. Chappelle will play Noodles, whose friendship with Cooper’s character dates back to when they both started in blues clubs.
The story is by Robert Carson and William Wellman. Among the credited screenwriters for this go-round are Cooper in his screenwriting debut, Will Fetters (The Best of Me), and Eric Roth (Forrest Gump). Producers are Cooper, Billy Gerber, Todd Phillips, Lynette Howell Taylor and Jon Peters. Basil Iwanyk is executive producing.
Chappelle had supporting roles in several 1990s comedies including Robin Hood: Men in Tights, You’ve Got Mail, Blue Streak, and The Nutty Professor. His 2003 sketch comedy television series Chappelle’s Show was a hit, but then he suddenly walked away from it all two years later. His most recent feature film was 2015’s Chi-Raq.
A Star is Born is currently shooting.