Today, Pathé and Calamity Films announced a new period biopic in an official press release. The talented Renée Zellweger stars as the iconic film star, Judy Garland, with a script from The Crown‘s Tom Edge. The working title is JUDY about Garland’s final London concerts. And award-winning British stage director, Rupert Goold, will direct. Principal photography begins in February of 2018.
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Official Description
Winter 1968 and showbiz legend Judy Garland arrives in Swinging London to perform in a sell-out run at The Talk of the Town. It is 30 years since she shot to global stardom in THE WIZARD OF OZ, but if her voice has weakened, its dramatic intensity has only grown. As she prepares for the show, battles with management, charms musicians, and reminisces with friends and adoring fans, her wit and warmth shine through.
Even her dreams of romance seem undimmed as she embarks on a courtship with Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband. And yet Judy is fragile. After working for 45 of her 47 years, she is exhausted; haunted by memories of a childhood lost to Hollywood; gripped by a desire to be back home with her kids. Will she have the strength to go on? Featuring some of her best-known songs, the film celebrates the voice, the capacity for love and the sheer pizzazz of “the world’s greatest entertainer.”
Thoughts
As a fan of period dramas, biopics, musicals, and Judy Garland, I’m all in! With a talented team behind the project, JUDY is sure to be a high-quality production. And while Renée Zellweger doesn’t exactly look like Judy Garland, her talent as an actress and her ability to transform should erase any doubts on that front. At least that’s what I’m hoping for!
For more official news on JUDY, make sure to follow Pathé UK over on Twitter! And make sure to follow us here at The Silver Petticoat Review for more news, reviews, and other articles on period dramas.
What are your thoughts on this new project? Are you excited to hear about Judy? How do you feel about the casting? Let me know in the comments!
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