Bradley Cooper, who earned a 2015 Tony Award nomination for headlining the Broadway revival of The Elephant Man, reportedly is courting singer Lady Gaga to star in his long-aborning remake of the classic A Star Is Born, according to Deadline and other sources.
Casting for the musical film has not been finalized.
Cooper plans to co-star in the classic story of a showbiz couple whose careers are going in opposite directions. He also hopes to make his debut as a film director with the project.
The original 1937 film was co-written by Dorothy Parker and Alan Campbell, and starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. It was remade in 1954 with James Mason and Judy Garland, then remade again in 1976 with Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand.
Cooper originally wanted Beyoncé Knowles for his co-star, but The New York Post reported that “she wanted too much money, and Warner Bros. balked at her price.”
Deadline's report stated that A Star Is Born is back on track with Cooper collaborating with screen writer Will Fetters. In the latest version, the female role, which was originally portrayed as a movie star on the rise, will be reconceived as a small-time nightclub singer, who eventually achieves international stardom.
No dates for production or release were reported.