An upcoming remake of the often-told A Star is Born appears to be gaining traction over at Warner Bros. as Deadline reports that Lady Gaga is possibly being sought after for the leading role opposite Bradley Cooper, who looks likely to make his directorial debut on the project. This long gestating project has seen many rumors throughout the years – including one in which Beyonce was courted to star. Cooper would also produce the project alongside his The Hangover director Todd Phillips. Will Fetters (Remember Me) wrote a draft of the script.
The significance of the story appears that tests between Lady Gaga and Cooper have apparently been made and earned a warm reception from the Warner Bros. brass, suggesting the remake may be a go sometime soon. The story follows the relationship between a movie star who aids an aspiring actress/singer come to fame, only to find himself self destruct due to alcoholism and the reality that his best days are behind him. Film versions of A Star Is Born have been a Hollywood commodity nearly as long as film as been around. Janet Gaynor and Fredric March starred in the 1937 version (both earned Oscar nominations), Judy Garland and James Mason headlined the 1954 version (both earned Oscar nominations) and Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson starred in the 1976 version (with Streisand earning an Oscar for the original song “Evergreen”).
Lady Gaga, who snagged an Oscar nomination earlier this year for the song “Til It Happens to You” for the documentary The Hunting Ground, has been giving acting a whirl recently and earned a Golden Globe for her turn in Ryan Murphy’s FX anthology series American Horror Story: Hotel. Cooper, who has earned three Oscar nominations for Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle and American Sniper, respectively, last appeared on screen in David O. Russell’s Joy and more recently, had a voice part in 10 Cloverfield Lane. Coming up, he will appear in Phillips’ upcoming War Dogs and reprises his role in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy – Vol. 2.
We will stay tuned to further developments regarding A Star is Born.