Photos from the upcoming movie Maestro show an almost unrecognizable Bradley Cooper in full prosthetics as an elderly version of Leonard Bernstein. The storied composer serves as the source of inspiration for the Netflix biopic. Working alongside screenwriter Josh Singer, Cooper has penned the script exploring the life and legacy of the legendary composer. Carey Mulligan, who also appears in the photos, will stand opposite Cooper on-screen as Felicia Montealegre. According to Netflix, the biopic will explore the complex love between Leonard and Felicia, spanning decades of their lives, from their initial meeting to the challenges of their marriage.

Partnering with Netflix for his second feature as a director, Cooper is already earning Oscar-buzz as audiences anticipate another impressive feat of storytelling following up the success of A Star Is Born. Maestro recently confirmed Matt Bomer and Maya Hawke as additional cast members. While it is unclear who Bomer will be portraying, Hawke is set as Jamie Bernstein, one of three children shared by Felicia and Leonard. Netflix has not provided clarity on specific casting choices or a release date yet. Still, filming has officially begun and has support from their producers: Cooper, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Fred Berner, and Amy Durning.

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The photos, provided by Netflix, show a soft, youthful version of Felicia and Bernstein in the beginning stages of their love story and an older version of the composer in his later years. Cooper's transformation into the elderly version of Bernstein is astounding, appearing to be an almost entirely different person under the intense prosthetics and age makeup. An extra behind-the-scenes moment captures Cooper in his additional role as the film's director, giving Mulligan instructions from behind the camera. Take a look below at the first Maestro photos to be seen:

Leonard Bernstein's life and legacy in music are enough to explore in and of themselves. The composer/conductor is responsible for various iconic pieces, including the stage and screen adaptations of West Side Story, Alfre Hitchcock's Rear Window, and the Broadway production, On the Town. However, Maestro focuses not on the career of Bernstein alone but on the love story shared with Montealegre. The relationship included two on-and-off engagements, 25-year-long marriage, and three children, all strained by Bernstein's personal reckoning with his sexual orientation. Cooper was drawn to the project as an actor but confided in Spielberg, sharing his desire to write and direct, which Spielberg supported, allowing a sort of mentorship to develop.

Netflix is gearing up for another push at Oscar gold with Maestro. Cooper has earned nine Oscar nominations, both in front of and behind the camera, including four for Best Picture and one for Best Adapted Screenplay on A Star Is Born. Though he has never won in his respective categories, audiences are sure that there will be a statue with Cooper's name on it in the future. Many think Maestro could be that opportunity, whether he takes home an award as an actor, director, or writer. Production only began in May 2022, so the anticipated release date will likely be in mid-to-late 2023 on Netflix.

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Source: Netflix