Lily Collins to Portray Audrey Hepburn in Upcoming Film About Breakfast at Tiffany's
Lily Collins, renowned for her role in the Netflix series Emily in Paris, has been officially cast to play the legendary Audrey Hepburn in a new film that delves into the dramatic making of the 1961 romantic comedy Breakfast at Tiffany's. The announcement was made public, with Collins expressing her profound excitement and honour at taking on such an iconic role.
Film Details and Development
The as-yet-untitled film will be based on Sam Wasson's nonfiction book Fifth Avenue, 5 AM: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's and the Dawn of the Modern Woman. The script has been penned by Alena Smith, the creator of the Apple TV series Dickinson. While no director has been announced at this stage, the project promises to offer the first comprehensive account of the film's production, covering everything from preproduction challenges to on-set incidents, including a near-electrocution during the famous opening sequence outside Tiffany & Co on Fifth Avenue.
Collins' Reaction and Background
Lily Collins, daughter of musician Phil Collins, shared her enthusiasm in a heartfelt statement on Instagram. She revealed that the project has been in development for nearly a decade, reflecting her lifelong admiration for Hepburn. "Honoured and ecstatic don't begin to express how I feel," she wrote, underscoring the significance of this role in her career.
Historical Context of Breakfast at Tiffany's
Breakfast at Tiffany's originated as a 1958 novella by Truman Capote, set in the 1940s and narrated by a struggling writer who befriends the glamorous Holly Golightly. The 1961 film adaptation, however, took significant liberties, moving the story to 1960 and altering the narrator's character. Capote had initially envisioned Marilyn Monroe for the role of Golightly, but Paramount Pictures cast Hepburn against his wishes, leading to his criticism of the film as miscast.
Despite this, the film achieved critical and commercial success, grossing approximately $14 million globally (equivalent to around $152 million today) and winning two Academy Awards for Best Score and Best Song for Moon River. Paramount's publicity efforts at the time worked to distance Hepburn's portrayal from any connotations of a sex worker, emphasising her pure and princess-like image.
Casting and Future Plans
Casting for other key figures, such as Truman Capote and director Blake Edwards, remains pending. This film marks a notable addition to portrayals of Hepburn, following Jennifer Love Hewitt's role in the 2000 TV movie The Audrey Hepburn Story. A previous biopic project with Rooney Mara was cancelled in 2023, making Collins' casting a significant development in cinematic tributes to Hepburn.
The upcoming film is poised to explore the behind-the-scenes drama and artistic decisions that shaped one of Hollywood's most beloved classics, offering audiences a fresh perspective on a timeless story.
