Cynthia Erivo is set to star in and produce The Rose remake.
The film is a remake of the 1979 Twentieth Century Fox musical romantic drama The Rose, following a self-destructive female rock star who struggles to deal with the constant pressures of her career and the demands of those around her. While paying homage to the original, the film will put a contemporary lens on the high price of fame.
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Searchlight Pictures is currently developing the remake, which will be produced by Erivo and Solome Williams via their Edith’s Daughter banner. A writer and director have yet to be attached to the project. Director of Development Richard Ruiz; Creative Executive Cornelia Burleigh will oversee the project for Searchlight.
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Mark Rydell directed the original drama which starred Bette Midler as the main character. Alan Bates, Frederic Forrest, Harry Dean Stanton, Barry Primus, and David Keith also starred. The film was loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin and originally titled Pearl (after Janis Joplin’s nickname, which was also the title of her last album). The film’s screenplay was revised and fictionalized after her family declined to allow the producers the rights to her story.
The Rose was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Actress in a Leading Role (Bette Midler, in her screen debut), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Frederic Forrest), Best Film Editing and Best Sound. Midler performed the soundtrack album for the film, and its title track became one of her biggest hit singles.
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Erivo can currently be seen playing Aretha Franklin on National Geographic’s Genius: Aretha. Her upcoming projects include the live-action Pinocchio movie for Dinsey+, where she will play the Blue Fairy, and John Ridley’s sci-fi feature Needle in a Timestack.
While a talented actress, Erivo is also releasing her debut album, “Ch 1. Vs. 1 this summer and debut children’s book, Remember to Dream, Ebere in September 2021.