The 'American Horror Story' actress takes over Beyonce's role in the Warner Bros. remake.
Lady Gaga will win an Oscar, Barbra Streisand be damned!
After what seems like an eternity of rumors -- and one motorcycle-bonding session in April -- it's official: the American Horror Story actress will co-star with Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born. The film will mark a few firsts, including his directorial debut and her first lead role in a feature film. (But not her first role in a feature -- remember Machete Kills? Sin City: A Dame to Die For?)
Gaga is doubling down on her potential for Academy Award win too: Not only will she be acting, she will write and perform new music for the film. (It's worth noting that she already became an Oscar nominee this year, for her song, "Til It Happens to You.")
"For those of us lucky enough to watch him work as an actor and producer, it has been clear that Bradley would make this transition to director," Warner Bros. President Greg Silverman explained in a statement. "The world is in for a treat as these great artists craft an all new vision of A Star Is Born."
Cooper's A Star Is Born is a remake of the 1976 film about an aspiring actress (played by Streisand) who meets and falls in love with a movie star on the decline (Kris Kristofferson), which itself was a remake of the 1954 A Star Is Born starring Judy Garland and James Mason...which was a remake of the original '37 film with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March.
Both Gaynor and Garland earned Best Actress nominations, which Babs won an Oscar -- albeit for Best Original Song.
In 2011, a different remake of A Star Is Born starring a different pop star was nearly made: Beyoncé was officially attached, with Clint Eastwood directing. Rumors had it that Leonardo DiCaprio or Will Smith or Christian Bale might co-star, but scheduling conflicts kept the movie from ever moving forward. In 2015, Cooper took the reins and there were once again reports Beyoncé would star -- alas, it's Gaga.
Meanwhile, Cooper stars in and produced War Dogs (in theaters on Friday) and he showed up to the movie's premiere this week with quite the rugged beard. Check it out in the video below.