Lily Collins has secured the iconic role she was seemingly born to play, as she steps into the shoes of Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn for an upcoming biopic. The 36-year-old actress, known for her role in Emily in Paris where her character often channels Hepburn's style, will portray the screen icon in a film chronicling the making of the 1961 classic, Breakfast at Tiffany's.
A Decade in the Making
Announcing the news on Instagram, Collins expressed her profound excitement and honour, revealing that the project has been nearly ten years in development. She wrote, 'It's with almost ten years of development and a lifetime of admiration and adoration for Audrey that I'm finally able share this. Honoured and ecstatic don't begin to express how I feel.'
Based on Acclaimed Non-Fiction
The as-yet-untitled film will draw from Sam Wasson's non-fiction book, Fifth Avenue, 5am: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's And The Dawn of The Modern Woman. This detailed account explores the creation of the film and its cultural impact, providing a rich foundation for the biopic's narrative.
Long-Standing Admiration
Collins, daughter of Genesis star Phil Collins, has long been an admirer of Hepburn, often citing her as a major inspiration. In a 2014 interview, she highlighted films like Funny Face (1957) and Sabrina (1954) as personal favourites, praising Hepburn's ability to convey deep emotions silently. 'In her films, her smile and her eyes said it all. She could convey strong emotions without even opening her mouth,' Collins remarked.
Despite comparisons, Collins has humbly acknowledged that no one can truly replace Hepburn. 'Of course, she's sublime and iconic and I'm very honoured to be compared to her, but I am in no way trying to be the next Audrey Hepburn. At any rate, no one can be the next Audrey Hepburn!' she stated.
Creative Team and Legacy
The screenplay for the biopic is being penned by Alena Smith, creator of the Apple TV+ series Dickinson. Hepburn, ranked by the American Film Institute as the third-greatest female screen legend of classical Hollywood cinema, passed away in 1993 at age 63 after battling a rare form of appendix cancer.
Born in Brussels to a Dutch noblewoman and a British businessman, Hepburn moved to Kent as a child and later won an Oscar for her role in Roman Holiday (1953). In Breakfast at Tiffany's, she played Holly Golightly, a New York socialite whose past complicates her relationship with a neighbour, portrayed by George Peppard.
Film's Enduring Success
Based on Truman Capote's 1958 novella, Breakfast at Tiffany's was a critical and commercial hit, earning $14 million at the box office—equivalent to $152 million today. It received five Oscar nominations, including Best Actress for Hepburn, and won awards for Best Score (Henry Mancini) and Best Song (Moon River, performed by Hepburn).
This biopic promises to delve into the making of a cinematic masterpiece, with Collins bringing her lifelong admiration to a role that celebrates Hepburn's timeless elegance and impact on modern womanhood.
