First trailer for Judy Garland biopic starring Renée Zellweger released
Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland in an upcoming biopic (YouTube)
The first trailer for upcoming Judy Garland biopic, Judy—which stars Renée Zellweger in the lead role—has been released.
In the one-minute long trailer, Zellweger can be heard singing Garland’s classic song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which first featured in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.
Zellweger’s version of the song plays over different shots from the film which depict Garland at different stages of her life.
Judy follows Judy Garland’s final concerts in London before her death
Judy is directed by Rupert Goold and also stars actors such as Rufus Sewell, Jessie Buckley and Michael Gambon. It is due for release on October 4 of this year.
Zellweger was cast in the film in October of 2017. At the time, Variety reported that the film would follow the gay icon’s final concerts in London in the winter of 1968. The film will tell the story of Garland’s life, and will open in London during her sell-out run of concerts.
Judy was written by Tom Edge, who is known for his work on Lovesick and The Crown. It was adapted from the stage play, End of the Rainbow.
Liza Minnelli said she does not ‘approve’ of Judy
The eagerly anticipated biopic was slammed by Judy Garland’s daughter Liza Minnelli in a Facebook post in June of last year.
Minnelli shared an article which claimed that she had bonded with Zellweger during filming. However, she said the article was wrong, and added: “I have never met nor spoken to Renee Zellweger.
“I don’t know how these stories get started, but I do not approve nor sanction the upcoming film about Judy Garland in any way.”
– Liza Minnelli
“I don’t know how these stories get started, but I do not approve nor sanction the upcoming film about Judy Garland in any way. Any reports to the contrary are 100% Fiction.”
Judy Garland has been considered a gay icon for decades
In a 2009 poll of gay men and lesbians, Judy Garland was voted the number one female gay icon.
The actress—who died from an accidental barbiturate overdose at the age of 47—has a cult following within the LGBT+ community.
The slang term “Friend of Dorothy” derives from her performance as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, and became a code for gay people to use to identify themselves.
In a 1967 interview, Garland defended her gay fans. When asked about an article that claimed she had a disproportionately high number of gay fans, Garland said: “I’ve been misquoted and rather rudely treated by the press, but I’ll be damned if I’d like to have my audience mistreated.”
She was also questioned about her gay following in 1965, to which she replied: “I couldn’t care less. I sing to people!”
