Barbra Streisand may realize her dreams of bringing Mama Rose to the big screen.
STX Entertainment is in advanced negotiations to make “Gypsy” with the Grammy and Oscar winner taking the lead role, and Oscar winner Barry Levinson (“Rain Man”) directing. Production on the film hit a snag last fall after Universal Pictures put the project into turnaround. It had been developing “Gypsy” for several years, stretching back to STX chairman Adam Fogelson’s days as the movie studio’s head.
Streisand will produce the film with Joel Silver (“Lethal Weapon”) and his Silver Pictures label. Richard LaGravenese (“The Fisher King”) is writing the film, with Streisand involved in developing the script.
It’s a meaty role for Streisand that will see her playing one of the most infamous stage mothers in history and belting out such signature numbers as “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” Previous actresses who have put their stamp on Mama Rose include Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury and Bernadette Peters. Production could start this year.
“It’s Barbra Streisand doing one more, if not the last, movie musical of her career,” said Fogelson, adding that he was excited by “the type of talent that is clamoring to work with her on one of the most famous and satisfying musicals ever.”
“Gypsy” tells the story of the burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee’s troubled childhood, growing up with a fiercely ambitious mother, whose mission it is to push her daughters up the vaudeville ladder. It is considered one of the greatest musicals ever made — boasting music by Jule Styne (“Bells Are Ringing”), lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (“Into the Woods”) and a book by Arthur Laurents (“West Side Story”). It was first made into a film in 1962 with Rosalind Russell playing Mama Rose and Natalie Wood starring as Gypsy Rose Lee.
Fogelson said he was familiar with the project from his time at Universal and told Variety that he believes that STX has “a vision for how to turn it into a motion picture event.”
Streisand and LaGravenese are represented by CAA. Levinson is represented by ICM.
So, which 6 people will watch that one?
Who does the princess have dirt on this time for that to happen?
Oh no. Not that dumb broad.
At last, a Streisand project that will crush the Marvel Gods at the box office with millennials! Next stop—Oscar buzz!
Babs is a one note from Funny Girl on. The same incredulous, clipped, nasal delivery with nearly everything she says. And good luck trying to direct this over the hill diva. The heavy handed mawkish Levinson is another story that will make this thing hard to digest. Guarantied to be one archaic bore as Babs repeats the same routine from 69.
Her best-role ever was in the South Park cartoon…
Is she going to play her as a stage grandmother? Terrible casting.
It will be GREAT.
Says the bedwetting leftist azzhat.
Why? Dear God, WHY?
Oh man – I hope she’s not gonna strip.
Ugghhhh – that would be disgusting.
Ugly and untalented. I’ll be thrilled not to see it. Can’t imagine sitting through a movie with her caterwauling the entire time.
does anyone dare say that she’s too old for this role. Mama Rose is suppose to have two young kids at the beginning. It was stretching it to have Rosalind Russell or Ethel Merman play a Mom at that time of their lives…Streisand in her seventies has two young girls?
There you go – don’t choose an actress in her 30s or 40s to play Rose – choose someone who is 73. You know, 73 year olds commonly have 5 to 15 year old kids. I’m sure it will be very realistic. Good Lord, the least they could have done is get someone in her 50s. Catherine Zeta Jones would be wonderful in that part – really wonderful. Babs has seen her day and has no versatility to be able to play anything but the same part over and over again.
The only thing that could make this even more of I’ll never see movie is if they sneak in jane Hanoi fonda somewhere.
Wow! huzzah! This is going straight to the top of my “Must Ignore” list!, vanity project.. Who’s could think such a thing?
Barbara will never top Ethel Merman as momma Rose just like she could not top Carol Channing as Dolly.
Barbra looks half her age, and nowadays in Hollywood they can make anyone look years-light younger anyway. Her pipes are more than decent by todays standards, and her style continues to be unique. Talented She is, and still scoring # 1s albums after 60 years of a hell of a recording career , so there will be an audience out there for this film; no doubt . The question is…is this story still relevant today? ‘ A Star is Born’ didn’t need another remake back in 1976 , but Barbra got away with it because of the original soundtrack and a couple of good moments .Yentl was a real labor of love and it proved many things for Barbra. But Gypsy in the second decade of the 2000’s will need an extra in order to be relevant. if the point is to make this filmfor Barbra to say good bye to musicals in a higher note; this might not be as successful as many think. We just will have to wait, and see. Cheers!
Congratulations! You sound like a fanatical Left Wingnut. I thought you wacks were only allowed out of your cages on weekends.
Poor you! So sorry you are so bitter inside( if there is any ” inside ” at all).
And talking about cages,do yourself a big favour and get back in yours.
Rosalind Russell is rolling in her grave!
Dont you be listening to nobody miss streisands
you is smart
you is pretty
you is loved
you is special
You is ah Bernie Sanders lover
The original movie with Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell was beautifully and definitively done, and no remake is warranted. Streisand is far too old for Mama Rose, who is about 40-ish (i.e., Louise/Gypsy is about 14/15 when the movie starts, putting Mama Rose at about 40). There were rumors that Gaga was being considered for the Gypsy part, which would be even more grotesque casting, as Louise/Gypsy is only about 19 even at the END of the movie when she makes her winsome burlesque breakthrough. The mind recoils at the image of Gaga attempting to reprise beautiful Natalie’s portrayal of the youthful and innocent pre-Gypsy Louise. No one could live up to the Natalie Wood/Roz Russell portrayals in the classic original, and the attempt would be an embarrassment.
If it must be made, I have no problem with Babs playing the role (she’s obviously a musical genius) … I just never cared for the show. I would have preferred her in a remake of Sunset Blvd. (the old Gloria Swanson movie, not the terrible show), and I see cocky “Joe” being played by Tom Cruise.
HAAAAAAAAGATHA
Bette Midler played Mama Rose in the TV movie version back in the 90’s.
Yes, and much as I like Midler, she was awful, as was the entire production on ABC.
Sarah Bernhardt was 70 when she played Juliet, so maybe Babs is using that as a guidepost
but someone should remind her, what a great actress can pull off on stage, is very different than what a mediocre one can pull off on the screen
Good Luck.
I do not agree with her politics but I think she will be great! That is role that suits her so well. I will be watching that one for sure.
Here’s one to skip, absolutely no question. Babs is no Tyne Daly. Awful liberal, spouting gibberish for her libtard Hillary over all common sense and brains. Down with Liberal Hollywood! The bottom of the barrel.
What’s it gonna be, a horror movie?
Oooooh! Another has-been, irrelevant libtard that won’t get my hard-earned money.
ICK!
what a crap sandwich ??!! How needs an old socialist broad singing with a nasal twang ??!!
She should be making a Bride of Frankenstein movie only she probably would frighten zipper head!
I’ll be holding my breath with anticipation until my ass is firmly seated in the theatre…you go girl, love you!!!
Oooo…. Streisand? Really??? She is pretty much too old to play anyone except for Grandma Moses.
I thought Warner Bros. own this property.
Streisand is old news and so is Gypsy. Is Tinseltown desperate or what?
Correction: Levinson will be credited as director. We all know who’ll really be calling the shots.
Bette Midler’s Mama Rose was pretty damn terrific.
Bette Who? This is 100% Oscar Bait. Hook Line and Sinker!