Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Renee Zellweger is unrecognisable as Judy Garland in first picture from upcoming film

Actress will star as the legendary Hollywood performer in a new biopic

Roisin O'Connor
Tuesday 20 March 2018 06:04 EDT
Comments
Renee Zellweger is playing Judy Garland in an upcoming biopic
Renee Zellweger is playing Judy Garland in an upcoming biopic (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The first picture of actress Renée Zellweger as singer Judy Garland has been shared, with fans praising the uncanny likeness between the two.

Zellweger, star of films including the Bridget Jones series and Miss Potter, plays as Garland in the upcoming movie Judy - written by Tom Edge - which is currently in production.

The film will detail how the American performer arrived in London in 1968 - the year before her death of an accidental overdose, aged 47 - to perform a series of sold-out shows at The Talk of the Town nightclub.

Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland
Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland (Pathe UK)

Rufus Sewell has been cast as Garland’s ex-husband Sidney Luft, while Rupert Goold is set to direct. Judy is a joint production between Pathé, BBC Films and Ingenious Media.

Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz
Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz (Rex)

Zellweger famously sang and danced in the 2002 film adaptation of Chicago as lead Roxie Hart, which won her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, along with a Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

In addition to Zellweger and Sewell: Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock and Michael Gambon will also star in the film.

A release date for the project has yet to be announced.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in