I've listened to snippets of her album, and she can definitely sing the score. And with the right makeup and lighting, she could pass for the right age. I actually edited a picture of her, to make her look younger, so I could see what she could look like if she made Gypsy...it was surprisingly easy. I did no airbrushing or anything. I simply made her eyelashes fuller, darkened her eyebrows, and changed her hair color. She looked younger. Much younger. If an amateur can do that, think what a professional can do.
Interesting trivia that also points to how late in the game this movie could be coming is there were talks in the 80s about Barbra doing this movie with Madonna as Gypsy. Cut to 30 years later, the Gaga idea doesn't surprise me much.
Barbra just confirmed in a TV interview that she plans to star in the movie, not direct it, and that it looks like it will go into production next year, "before I have to do it with a cane." She feels it's a good "swan song and bookend, having begun my career with Funny Girl and ending it with Gypsy." Well, okay then.
All kidding aside, I just don't see her believably passing as someone under say, 65. Even in that movie with Seth Rogen, she was supposed to be like 50 or something. And sure in some scenes, with the right lighting she looked pretty good, if a little uncanny. But there were other scenes where she looked like someone wearing a Barbra Streisand mask made out of putty. Not to mention the way she shuffled around in the movie. Even if they make her look 40, she doesn't move like a woman under 70.
You can put all the make-up and lighting you want on her. You can CGI her face. But fact is she simply has the AURA of a 72 year old woman. It's in the way she moves and speaks. And I'm sorry but no actress can believably overcome that.
And there is nothing WRONG with being a 72 year old woman, unless you're trying to act 35.
Barbara Streisand trying to do Gypsy at this stage is no different from Norma Desmond wanting to play Salome. It's just a terrible idea that should never happen.
I just hope Babs doesn't have an old car that Universal needs!
^^ Yes, plastic surgeons can do a lot for her face. And she still looks great, she's gotten nipped and tucked, but still looks like herself and is able to move her face. BUT posture and physicality doesn't really lie. Unfortunately, there's no way to fight that.
I'll still be first in line to see it.
Hoping they are not waiting on Gaga's schedule to open up or something. She'd be terrible for Louise.
I echo Jordan's sentiments on Gaga. Was a fan for a bit but now I find her incredibly annoying. First it was about Gays now it's about the "Art movement" and recording over done standards with Tony Bennett in Muppet couture. Ok Gaga. Whatever.
She's just to old to play the role! I would love to see Sutton Foster play Mama Rose. I know she has said before in the past that its one of her dream roles, but I never could see it. After seeing Violet, I can see it now.
I think Sutton may be too young now...are you talking about for the film? Maybe in the future...as one of the "every-ten-year" revivals we get of Gypsy...(and I'm not complaining because I've yet to see it live).
Honestly, I'm fine with Streisand doung Rose on film. Not like your bitching is going to do anything. She wants it to be her "swan song". It's Streisand for God's sake!
But I could die happy if the next revival (hopefully after another 10 years) stars Tonya Pinkins.
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
That Norma Desmond analogy is kind of scarily spot-on. Granted Rose isn't supposed to be a teenager, but Norma wasn't pushing 70 either. And I suppose she was trying to make a comeback whereas this project is meant to be a "swan song."
Gaga would be fine if she was dressed appropriately - she has the voice naturally, where as Katy Perry is very much reliant on auto-tune. I don't suppose Laura Benanti would ever be considered?
I think Gaga would be a good stage performer. She would be wonderful as Fanny.
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
Isn't Mama Rose supposed to be 40 in the end? Sutton Foster will be 40 next year. I hope she gets to play the role sometime!! Patti always said she was to old to play the role and she was 60! Mama Rose has two little girls in the beginning, I would think its weird watching a women in her 70s playing it in my opinion!! No offense to Barbra though cause I think she's great.
I think a lot of people would look good as Louise, it's more of a matter of whether they can act and hold a candle to Barbra Streisand on camera, particularly in the last scene. Jennifer Lawrence is definitely someone who came to mind, though I wonder if they are gonna go for someone older as Louise to match Barbra's older-skewing Rose.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"