Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut, A Star Is Born, was a huge hit that cleaned up during awards season so it’s no wonder that his next directing gig has received a lot of interest from Hollywood. But we now know who will produce and release the film and you can already tell this thing could be another major Oscar contender.
Deadline reports that Netflix has earned the rights to Cooper’s film about composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife, Felicia Montealegre. Cooper will produce, co-write, direct and star in the film. He’s going to be a busy man. But look at this team of producers who will also join the project: Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Todd Phillips. Those are just some of the folks attached to produce. I don’t have to tell you that they are some of the biggest names in the business. This Bernstein movie is already red-hot before cameras even start rolling.
Cooper has long been attached to the film, which isn’t a straight-up biopic but rather an examination of the marriage between Bernstein and Montealegre. Though his name isn’t as well known now, Leonard Bernstein was one of the biggest talents in America for a long time and is still one of the most successful musicians in history. He is best known for composing the music of West Side Story among other successful musicals. His marriage to Montealegre was definitely full of drama, mostly due to his closeted homosexuality and multiple affairs. Despite it all, the pair loved each other and raised three children together.
Apparently Cooper has had dialogue with the Bernstein family for the last few years, making sure he has nailed all aspects of the famous conductor. He wasn’t the only man in Hollywood looking to get this project made: Jake Gyllenhaal was also attached to a Bernstein film to be directed by Cary Fukunaga but that movie seems to have stalled out and is likely dead thanks to today’s news.
Netflix acquiring Cooper’s movie is more proof that they are hellbent on continuing to be a major force during awards season. They have been going hard with movies like Roma and this year’s Marriage Story and The Irishman (which should win Best Picture next month). It’s obvious that they’re not stopping any time soon and will consistently do what needs to be done to compete. A movie like this has Oscar written all over it. From the subject matter to the talent involved, this thing just screams prestige. Netflix plans to theatrically release the film in a manner similar to Marriage Story and The Irishman but hopefully they’ll be able to muster a wider release. Regardless, the film is already poised for great success.
The most interesting aspect to me is Spielberg’s involvement as producer. You have to wonder if it’ll make him soften his view of Netflix, a company he has been critical of in the past. They’ve already helped Scorsese see the light and if Netflix can win over Steven Spielberg then this Leonard Bernstein movie will be well, well, worth it.