FIRST LOOK: Oscar winner Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland in JUDY

[BrodyFosse123]

The film JUDY — which started principal production on Monday — is based on the true story of 46 year old Garland's final concerts in London, with Jessie Buckley (War and Peace), Finn Wittrock (American Horror Story) and Michael Gambon (Harry Potter) starring alongside Oscar-winner Zellweger. 

Tony nominee and two-time Olivier winner Rupert Goold (King Charles III) directs from a script written by The Crown scribe Tom Edge. BAFTA winner David Livingstone (Pride) produces for Calamity Films. Judy is a Pathe, BBC Films and Ingenious Media presentation of a Calamity Films Production.

JUDY will chronicle Garland's arrival in swinging 1968 London to perform in a series of sellout shows. It has been 30 years since "the world's greatest entertainer" shot to global fame in The Wizard of Oz and as she prepares for the concerts, she battles with management, charms musicians and reminisces with friends and adoring fans, while also embarking on a courtship with Mickey Dean, her soon-to-be fifth husband. Yet Garland is also fragile, and having spent 45 of her 47 years working, she is haunted by memories of a childhood lost to Hollywood and a desire to be back home with her kids. Will she have the strength to go on?

Featuring some of her best-known songs, including the timeless classic "Over the Rainbow," Judy celebrates the voice, the capacity for love and the sheer pizzazz of “the world’s greatest entertainer”.

Goold’s creative team includes director of photography Ole Bratt Birkeland (The Crown), musical director Matt Dunkley (Black Swan), editor Melanie Oliver (Les Miserables), costume designer Jany Temime (Harry Potter), makeup and hair designer Jeremy Woodhead (Doctor Strange) and production designer Kave Quinn (Far from the Madding Crowd).

[linus84]

I would never have known this was Renee

[IdinaBellFoster]

She looks incredible. I hope they're using Judy's original vocals.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

I didn't know what to think when I heard about this project, but now I'm excited.

[Playbill_Trash]

I wonder if this movie will put a hold, or have any effect on, the prospects of the musical Chasing Rainbows ever being developed further, seeing as it is basically the same story about Judy Garland. 

[boonanas]

Anyone can look like anyone with the right angle/makeup/lighting.

[BrodyFosse123]

I wonder if this movie will put a hold, or have any effect on, the prospects of the musical Chasing Rainbows ever being developed further, seeing as it is basically the same story about Judy Garland.

What on Earth are you talking about?  The musical CHASING RAINBOWS is about the very early career of Judy Garland while JUDY is about the her shortly before her death at age 47.  

Chasing Rainbows is the story of how Frances Gumm became Judy Garland, chronicling her journey as a young actor and originating the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. The show blends old and new music, with fresh takes on classic songs like “Over the Rainbow,” “You Made Me Love You,” “Everybody Sing,” and more.

Chasing Rainbows features music from Sony/ATV Feist Robbins catalog. Chasing Rainbows is a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Grant, and is produced by Richard Winkler and Jo Ann Bono.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

I think this is the time period "End of the Rainbow" depicted? Please correct me if I'm wrong here.  I pray they don't use Renee's limited vocal abilities for the soundtrack.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Has a release date been set for this?

[BroadwayConcierge]

Color me shook.

This looks like it has incredible potential.

[Valentina3]

She does look stunning. I'm here for it.

The plot really sounds like a Judy Garland version of "Lady Holiday at Emerson's Bar & Grill" which I feel inherently has a stage-like quality to it. We might get an adaptation sooner than later.

[MrsSallyAdams]

I'm getting my Judy Garland bios mixed up. Did a quick search and found:

Rainbow - 1978 - Andrea McArdle as child/teen Judy Garland.

The Boy from Oz - 1998/2003 - Peter Allen bio featuring late life Judy Garland. Played on Broadway by Isabel Keating.

Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows - 2001 - Tammy Blanchard as teen Garland. Judy Davis as adult Garland. 

End of the Rainbow - 2012 - Tracie Bennett as late life Judy Garland.

and the delightful Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall - 2007

Who did I miss?

[fashionguru_23]

Phillytheatreguy10 said: "I think this is the time period "End of the Rainbow" depicted? Please correct me if I'm wrong here. I pray they don't use Renee's limited vocal abilities for the soundtrack."

When this project was announced, a few of us on the board said that this sounded like they are making a film of "End of the Rainbow". While in fact the film is not based on the play, it is covering the same period in her life, and will possibly follow the same plot points. 

[Playbill_Trash]

BrodyFosse123 said: What on Earth are you talking about? Themusical CHASING RAINBOWS is about the very early career ofJudyGarland while JUDY is about the her shortly before her death at age 47.

Chasing Rainbowsis the story of how Frances Gumm became Judy Garland, chronicling her journey as a young actor and originating the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. The show blends old and new music, with fresh takes on classic songs like “Over the Rainbow,” “You Made Me Love You,” “Everybody Sing,” and more.

Chasing Rainbowsfeatures music from Sony/ATV Feist Robbins catalog.Chasing Rainbowsis a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Grant, and is produced by Richard Winkler and Jo Ann Bono."

Maybe it doesn't cover the same period of her life, but I meant I wonder if potential producers of Chasing Rainbows would back off of putting up the show since this movie is coming out. They might think there won't be a lot of interest in seeing the show live if they can see a movie that seems similar. 

I saw Chasing Rainbows last Thanksgiving at the Goodspeed, I thought it was good and showed a lot of potential. 

[nealb1]

Wow!  And, she looks like Tammy Blanchard, too.  

[uncageg]

I think she will nail this. Also like that the director of photography is from The Crown. That show is shot beautifully.

[Cat Guy]

In the late 1960s, I was a young sailor stationed onboard a U.S. Navy ship in Scotland.  I was in London for a few days of R&R when Judy died.  I remember crying (because I did like her so very much), and I also remember that one of the radio stations played her music non-stop.  No matter where I went, that's all people talked about:  Judy Garland is dead.

I really look forward to seeing this film, especially with Renee as Judy.

[BrodyFosse123]

Anyone can look like anyone with the right angle/makeup/lighting.

That's the whole point of film making, genius.  The actor adds the rest: capturing the essence of the person they are playing.  

Case in point: Judy Davis as Judy Garland; Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon as Joan Crawford and Bette Davis; Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe; Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday; Queen Latifah as Bessie Smith; Cate Blanchett as Kathrine Hepburn; Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn; Meryl Streep as Julia Child, etc. 

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

judging from this picture alone I AM IN!!

[SweetLips]

The photo looks great and with Ms Zelliwegers' strange shaped mouth and the sound that produces along with the correct mannerisms I feel she should make a credible JUDY.

My self protected little world rarely likes to know the 'warts and all' background that helps create singers/actors to become who they become.

I have mentioned somewhere here that I was at the Melbourne concert and witnessed Ms Garlands' breakdown there and was devestated--she just fell apart as we all watched and sobbed. Interspersed with this sadness she delivered 'her sound' and were all spellbound.

I certainly wish this project well but will be very content with my collection of CDs.

[CindersGolightly]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I really hope Renée Zellweger sings the score herself.

[fashionguru_23]

I worship Judy Garland, and I hated Renee Zellweger for this. This photo has me excited, to be honest. However, to me, Judy Davis IS Judy Garland. I can't watch a film with Davis, and not see Garland.

[Tom5]

Right about Judy Davis. Fantastic transformation here, but looks like a Judy in her 40s who had never done drugs

[BrodyFosse123]

Judy Davis as the older Judy Garland in the 2001 ABC TV movie adaptation of Lorna Luft's autobiography LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND: ME AND MY SHADOWS. 

[Broadway.Melody]

BrodyFosse123 said: "Judy Davis as the older Judy Garland in the 2001 ABC TV movie adaptation of Lorna Luft's autobiography LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND: ME AND MY SHADOWS.



"

I do love this tele-film and Davis' performance. There was only one mis-step in it for me. They should have continued to let Tammy Blanchard play Judy up until maybe the 1954 period of "A Star is Born" and then let Davis take over from there. Davis looks way too old playing 1940's Judy, especially Judy filming "Meet Me in St. Louis".