Cher Scraps Two-Year Biopic Project: In a surprising turn of events, 77-year-old singer-actress Cher restarts her long-awaited biopic project after two years of development. She told The Hollywood Reporter that the movie “just wasn’t working out” and requires significant changes. Further complicating matters, the project faces an indefinite delay due to the ongoing strikes by writer’s and actor’s unions that have paralyzed Hollywood.
Cher commented on the strike situation, stating, “We’re going to have to wait (until after the strikes). I’m not going to go against my people.” The strikes have halted production for many movies and television shows, including projects much farther along than Cher’s biopic.
When asked about the genre of the film, Cher remained uncertain. She mentioned, “I can never decide what I want to do. The thing about my life is that there’s too much. It’s hard to capture it and all the things I’ve done. So it’s really a lot.” The indecisiveness extends to whether the biopic would be a “jukebox musical” featuring her hitsa point on which Cher has not yet made up her mind.
Cher had initially teamed up with producers Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, known for their work on the 2008 ABBA movie musical “Mamma Mia!” and its sequel “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” in which Cher had a supporting role. A statement from Craymer expressed excitement about working with Cher, praising her “larger-than-life talent, fortitude, unique wit, warmth, and vision.”
Eric Roth, the writer behind hit films like ‘Forrest Gump’ and ‘A Star Is Born,’ was initially set to write the screenplay for Cher’s life story. Roth also penned the screenplay for ‘Suspect,’ a 1987 film featuring Cher. The singer-actress had described Roth as a “dear, dear friend” in a social media post.
Filmmakers face a unique difficulty with Cher’s rich and complex life story. Over five decades, she has been a prominent presence in music and acting, winning an Academy Award, a Grammy, an Emmy, three Golden Globes, and a Cannes Film Festival Award. Distilling such a complex life into a two-hour film is a major challenge.
The biopic’s expectations are high, given Cher’s fame. Fans have been waiting for a biopic that honors Cher’s incredible career, making the task increasingly harder. The film must appeal to Cher’s music fans, acting, philanthropic, and activist fans.
While it remains unclear when the project will pick up again, it’s evident that Cher is taking her time to make sure her life story is told the way she wants it to be. Until then, fans and the industry will have to wait patiently for further updates.
Our Reader’s Queries
Is there a movie being made about Cher?
Universal Pictures is currently developing a biopic on the life of Cher, with the legendary singer herself on board as a co-producer. Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, known for their work on the Mamma Mia! films, are also involved in the project.
How old was Cher in Mamma Mia 2?
Cast in the role of Meryl Streep’s mother in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, Cher, at 72, is just 3 years older than Meryl Streep, at 69. Writer-director Ol Packer’s explanation for this unconventional casting choice? “Cher exists outside of time.” A thought-provoking concept, indeed.