Zendaya Stars in Barry Jenkins’ Upcoming Ronnie Spector Biopic for A24

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This seems like an artistic collaboration destined in heaven. On one side, you have Zendaya, an exceptionally talented actress from this generation, and on the other, Barry Jenkins, who recently directed Mufasa: The Lion King and is now working on a project to reconnect with his creative foundation. These two are teaming up for A24’s new production, which revolves around the life of a renowned singer, potentially serving as a breakthrough role for Zendaya in her career.

According to recent reports, Zendaya and Ava DuVernay are collaborating on a movie based on the life of iconic singer Ronnie Spector, titled “Be My Baby”. The screenplay will be penned by Dave Kajganich, who has previously worked with director Luca Guadagnino on films such as “Suspiria” remake and “Bones and All”. Notably, Zendaya also starred in Luca Guadagnino’s 2021 film, “Challengers”. The partnership between Jenkins and Zendaya is not new; they have been seeking a suitable project to work on together for quite some time. The movie will delve into both Ronnie Spector’s life and her ex-husband Phil Spector, a figure known for his musical prowess and tumultuous personal life. The rights to Ronnie Spector’s life have already been secured for the project, and it will draw inspiration from her memoir, “Be My Baby”, which she co-wrote with Vince Waldron.

Zendaya Was Hand-Selected by Ronnie Spector To Portray Her

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my admiration when I reflect on how Ronnie Spector personally chose Zendaya to portray her in the film before she passed away. This selection undeniably adds an intimate layer for Zendaya as she navigates her burgeoning career, which is increasingly recognized for collaborating with esteemed artists. A24 secured the screenplay for this project back in 2022, so they’ve been patiently waiting for the perfect combination of creatives to emerge and bring Spector’s captivating story to life. Now, A24 will join forces with Marc Platt, Adam Siegel, Mark Itkin, Tom Shelly, and Zendaya to produce this compelling project.

In this upcoming movie, Zendaya and Jenkins will reunite under the banner of A24, a studio that has played significant roles in both their careers. Notably, they worked together on the critically acclaimed series “Euphoria,” produced by A24, which won multiple Emmys. Furthermore, Zendaya’s upcoming collaboration with Robert Pattinson, titled “The Drama,” is also under A24’s production. As for Jenkins, he gained widespread recognition due to A24’s support in taking his film “Moonlight” to the pinnacle of success at the Academy Awards, winning the Best Picture award. Additionally, Jenkins serves as an executive producer on the Sundance film “Sorry, Baby,”, another project that has A24’s involvement.

For Jenkins, while the movie “Mufasa: The Lion King” grossed an impressive $700 million globally, a venture like this aligns more with his previous work and potentially represents a return to his signature style. It’s not about proving himself again, but taking on such projects allows him to stretch his creative abilities even further, much like the films “Moonlight” did, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Director and a win for Best Adapted Screenplay.

In case you’re not aware, Ronnie Spector started and led the band The Ronettes alongside her elder sister and cousin back in the late 1950s. This band, signed to Phil Spector’s record label, produced popular songs in the ’60s like “Be My Baby,” “Baby, I Love You,” and “Walking in the Rain.” After experiencing a dip in her career, Spector made a comeback in 1986 with Eddie Money’s “Take Me Home Tonight,” which reached number five on Billboard. In 2007, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of The Ronettes.

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2025-03-26 20:32