After Beyoncé dropped out of Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut because the production couldn’t afford her hefty $8 million pay demand, we’re told Lady Gaga has gracefully stepped into the role.
Hollywood insiders say that while Cooper was disappointed to not get his first choice for his remake of the 1954 Judy Garland classic “A Star Is Born,” he has been very hands-on in recruiting Gaga.
“Bradley flew out to direct Gaga in the audition himself, and she knocked it out of the park. Then he personally took the tape to Warner Bros. to get approval,” we’re told.
The “Born This Way” singer saved the day after the entire production was thrown into jeopardy after Bey’s deal fell through “because she wanted $8 million, plus all the perks,” sources said. The total budget for the movie is said to be $40 million.
We reported back in March that Cooper was still negotiating the deal with Warner Bros. to direct his first movie when the “Lemonade” star backed out.
“Beyoncé wanted too much money, and Warner Bros. balked at her price. The production budget was also said to be an issue with the studio,” a source told us at the time. But we’re told the project is back on track with Gaga’s name attached.
The remake of the movie — which was itself a remake of a 1937 original — has been a long time in the making.
Clint Eastwood was originally set to direct back in 2011, when Beyoncé’s name was first mentioned as the female lead.
Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio were reportedly circling the male lead role, but the movie kept being delayed.
Cooper — who’s been considering a move behind the camera for some time — chose the project as his directorial debut, following the success of 2014’s “American Sniper,” also made with Warner Bros.
Reps for Gaga, Cooper and Beyoncé didn’t get back to us.