Here’s something I’d never thought would happen: I am writing about Barbra Streissand and Beyoncé in the same post. I still can’t believe I’m doing it… Anyway, last week The Los Angeles Times reported that Russell Crowe seems to be emerging as the front-runner to star opposite Bey in the fourth iteration of “A Star is Born”. The last one paired Streissand with Kris Kristofferson back in 1976. If Crowe lands the part, he will have beat out a number of other A-listers including Sean Penn and Robert Downey, Jr., among others. No matter who she’s paired with, this might be the high profile part that Beyoncé has been looking—the one that will firmly place her on solid ground as an actress and possibly win her an award.
Now I’m of the belief that Bey actually displayed some solid acting chops in “Cadillac Records”, but it was a small ‘period’ movie that lots of folks missed. A remake of such a beloved film, however, would have all eyes on it and a much bigger budget. And with such a strong co-star, she would have no choice but to rise to the occasion. Love or hate her, the woman is always a consummate professional—although I’m thinking an acting coach wouldn’t be a bad idea. The project has been talked about for some time but it seems like the sister who walked home with a ton of Grammys last week is ready for a new challenge and has expressed interest in getting the film project moving again.
The plot of the movie isn’t likely to change: He’s an established star and she’s a bright-eyed newbie. He takes her under his wing and they fall in love. His star fades and her career takes off with a dose of heartbreak and tragedy in-between. Beyoncé will still be playing a singer but this time I think it will work in her favor because the relationship between the two co-stars is central to the story and the music will be the punctuation point. Plus if she plays it right there’s bound to be a hit song or two on the soundtrack.
But the fact that this will be the first interracial pairing for this story will probably give it an added boost. It will also remind us all of “The Bodyguard” which starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. I still stop on that movie if I come across it channel surfing (and I know that I’m not the only one). Houston and Costner generated some heat on that screen and I still cry at that airport scene every time I hear “I Will Always Love You” in the background. There were once rumors last year that Rihanna’s name was being mentioned in a remake of that film. All I can say is that’s a very ambitious idea. If it does more forward, I hope that these two films don’t end up going head-to-head.
There’s no doubt that Beyoncé will be taking on a big challenge in starring in “A Star Is Born”. I hope she’s ready to be compared not just to Streissand but to Judy Garland too. No matter how you slice it, those are some big shoes to fill. I guess this sister is looking to make some history of her own.
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