Barry Jenkins to Direct Zendaya in Ronnie Spector Biopic “Be My Baby” for A24
There are dream pairings and dream pairings, and this case more than deserves the italicized emphasis.
Auteur Barry Jenkins will direct Zendaya in a film for A24 about the life of the legendary singer Ronnie Spector. Jenkins and Zendaya’s film, Be My Baby, will be based on an original script by Dave Kajganic, Deadline reports.
Zendaya is, of course, playing Spector, a co-founder of the group the Ronettes, along with her older sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin, Nedra Talley. Spector was the frontwoman and is often considered the original bad girl of rock and roll. Spector and the Ronettes eventually signed to Phil Spector’s label Phillies in 1963, with Phil Spector producing most of their work, including their hits like the titular “Be My Baby,” “Baby, I Love You,” “(The Best Part of) Breakin’ Up,” and “Walking in the Rain,” which were all released between 1963 and 64. Ronnie and Phil Spector married in 1968 and were divorced in 1974, at which point she re-formed the Ronettes.
The focus of Jenkins and Zendaya’s film will primarily focus on the singer’s volatile partnership with Phil Spector rather than covering the singer’s entire life. A24 landed the spec script in 2022. Spector wrote a memoir, “Be My Baby,” with Vince Waldron. Before she passed, Spector was an executive producer on the film and personally selected Zendaya to play her.
Jenkins has a rich history with A24, with his Best Picture winning Moonlight and the upcoming Sorry, Baby, which he produced, from writer/director Eva Victor. Zendaya has also fruitfully collaborated with A24 in the past, with the Emmy-winning drama Euphoria and the upcoming film The Drama, from writer/director Kristoffer Borgli, which stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.
Featured image: LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 11: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been converted to black and white.) Zendaya attends the “Challengers” Photocall at Claridges Hotel on April 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
