The people behind the upcoming Judy biopic, detailing the life of Hollywood legend Judy Garland, have given us our first look at Renee Zellweger as the title character. For anyone who had any reservations about the Bridget Jones actress's ability to fully embody the stage and screen star, this first picture should ease those doubts.
The biopic, which is being brought to the big screen by Pathé, BBC Films and Ingenious Media began its principal production recently in London, and is said to detail Garland's final concerts in London in the late 1960's prior to her death. The movie will also star Jessie Buckley (War and Peace), Finn Wittrock (American Horror Story) and Michael Gambon (Harry Potter) alongside Zellweger's Garland.
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A Twitter account for the movie has posted the first picture of Zellweger as Garland as filming gets underway, giving fans a glimpse at just how much Zellweger has been able to transform, physically at least, in to Garland. Set 30 years after Garland first shot to fame in her role in The Wizard of Oz, the movie chronicles Garland's struggles to perform her sold out London shows. The studio also released an official synopsis for the film:
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?
The movie promises to showcase some of Garland's most famous songs, including the iconic 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow,' and will honor her as “the world’s greatest entertainer.” The film is based on a script written by The Crown's Tom Edge and will be produced by David Livingstone for Calamity Films. Laurence Myers, Lee Dean, Aaron Levene, Charles Diamond, Ellis Goodman and Hilary Williams have all signed on as Executive Producers. The incredibly versatile Wittrock will star as Garland's fifth husband, Mickey Deans while Buckley will star as Rosalyn Wilder, a production assistant who looks after Garland during her final London performances.
Zellweger previously showed off her singing and dancing abilities on the big screen when she played Roxie Hart in Chicago, earning herself an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, a role once played by Garland's daughter, Liza Minelli. Pathé will distribute Judy in the U.K., France and Switzerland and will handle sales throughout the rest of the world.
Keep checking in with Screen Rant for the latest information about the Judy biopic.