Bradley Cooper Gearing Up to Make Directorial Debut With 'A Star Is Born' Remake
By Rebecca Ford and Borys Kit
Bradley Cooper is in talks to make his directorial debut with Warner Bros.’ long-gestating remake of musical A Star is Born. The film, based on the 1937 film that starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, centers on a movie star who helps a young aspiring actress find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral.
Cooper will also produce, along with Jon Peters, Billy Gerber and Basil Iwanyk.
Warner Bros. has been working on a remake of A Star is Born for years. Cooper’s American Sniperdirector Clint Eastwood has been attached to the project since 2011. At one time, Beyonce was attached to star, but things stalled when she got pregnant and Eastwood moved on to Jersey Boys.
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There have already been two remakes of the 1937 film, which was directed by William A. Wellman and garnered eight Academy Award nominations. The first came out in 1954 starring Judy Garland and James Mason. It was nominated for a slew of awards, and Garland and Mason won the best actress and actor Golden Globes for their work. The second remake, starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, was directed by Frank Pierson. It won five Golden Globe Awards including best motion picture, musical or comedy, and the Academy Award for best original song for “Evergreen.”
Cooper has been building up a strong relationship with Warner Bros. and sources say he’s been considering several projects to direct. His production company with Todd Phillips has a first-look deal with the studio. He starred in last year’s breakout hit American Sniper, which became the top grossing U.S movie of the year earning $528.2 million worldwide.
Cooper’s upcoming films include David O. Russell’s Joy, John Wells’ Adam Jones and Cameron Crowe’s Aloha. He’s also producing Phillips’ next directorial project, Arms & the Dudes (now in production) and several other projects in development including Orphan X at Warner Bros. He’s repped by CAA.
Photo: AP Images/Invision
