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Gwyenth Paltrow To Star In Marlene Dietrich Biopic

The French site Tele2Semaines (via Collider) is reporting that Europacorp TV, BBC and HBO are teaming up for a new, two-part biopic on the life of the legendary German actress, Marlene Dietrich.   The outlet even goes as far as to say that actress Gwyneth Paltrow has signed up to play the iconic thespian.

Simply titled Marlene, the two films will roughly run about 90 minutes apiece, and will look at the overall life of the actress.   Dietrich is best known for her run with director Josef Von Sternberg (bringing us such great films as The Scarlett Empress and The Devil Is A Woman), but also teamed with such iconic filmmakers as Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock and Billy Wilder.   Toss in a long running singing career, and you have a career that is still hard to find a comparison for.   Simply put, she is an acting icon of the highest grade, and lived a life definitely worth adapting for the screen.



However, I can’t help but be a bit cold about this news.   While this doesn’t seem to be the final say, I don’t think Paltrow ‘“ a fine actress for sure ‘“ is quite the right fit for this role.   This seems like an odd fit, for a project that has the makings of something truly special.   Dietrich is a tough woman to truly cast, but it can be done.   I just don’t think Paltrow is that right woman.

Who do you think should play Dietrich in a biopic?

Source: Tele2Semaines/Collider

Joshua Brunsting

Josh is a critic, a member of the Online Film Critics Society, a wrestling nerd, a hip-hop head, a father, a cinephile and a man looking to make his stamp on the world, one word at a time.

6 comments

  • Who do I think should play Marlene Dietrich and do it better than Gwyneth? Ummm…just about anyone. Dirk Bogarde would do it better and he’s dead.

  • One of the worst casting news I’ve ever heard. Paltrow doesn’t fit the role in any sort of way. I find it kind of insulting that she would play Marlene Dietrich.

  • There have been stories to this effect for years now and nothing has come of it. I’m skeptical that such a film will ever be made.

  • There have been stories to this effect for years now and nothing has come of it. I’m skeptical that such a film will ever be made.

  • My God,not Gwyneth,please!!!!!!!!!!!
    This”actress” has personality of a flower girl.To play such a complex character you have to be a character.I know,I know,-box office attraction,but not in this case!!!!
    My choice-Diane Kruger,is obvious.Good actress,physical type,charisma,German for God Sake!!!!!!!

  • Chloe Sevigny! Goopy was supposedly signed up for this 5+ years ago (posted in a magazine, Vanity Fair I believe) and this is the first I’ve seen of it since.  Diane Kruger is a great choice, but I’m sticking with Chloe. :) 

    Be sure to check out Carol Channing as Dietrich.  Amazing!