A Star Is Born (film)

A Star Is Born is a 2018 American musical romantic drama film produced and directed by Bradley Cooper (in his directorial debut) and written by Cooper, Eric Roth and Will Fetters. A remake of the 1937 film of the same name, it stars Cooper, Lady Gaga, Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle, and Sam Elliott, and follows a hard-drinking musician (Cooper) who discovers and falls in love with a young singer (Gaga). It marks the fourth remake of the original 1937 film, after the 1954 musical, the 1976 rock musical, and the 2013 Bollywood romance film.

A Star Is Born premiered at the 75th Venice International Film Festival on Aug 31, 2018, and was theatrically released in the United States on Oct 5, 2018, by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film has grossed over $201 million worldwide and received critical acclaim, with praise for Cooper's, Gaga's, and Elliott's performances, Cooper's direction, the screenplay, the cinematography, and the music.

Cast

Bradley Cooper as Jackson Maine, an established singer-songwriter and alcoholic. He is Ally's mentor and love interest.
Lady Gaga as Ally Campana-Maine, a nightclub singer-songwriter who is discovered by Jackson.
Sam Elliott as Bobby Maine, Jackson's older brother and manager.
Dave Chappelle as George "Noodles" Stone, Jackson's close friend, himself a retired musician.
Andrew Dice Clay as Lorenzo Campana, Ally's father.
Anthony Ramos as Ramon, Ally's friend.
Michael Harney as Wolfie, a limo driver and friend of Lorenzo.
Rafi Gavron as Rez Gavron, a music producer and Ally's manager.

Additionally cast

Rebecca Field as Gail.
Shangela as the drag bar emcee.
Willam Belli as drag queen Emerald.
Greg Grunberg as Jackson's driver Phil.
Ron Rifkin as Carl.
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real as Jackson's band.
Luenell as a cashier.
Marlon Williams, Brandi Carlile, Halsey, Alec Baldwin, and Don Roy King cameo as themselves.

Plot

Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers-and falls in love with-struggling artist Ally (Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer - until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.

Synopsis

Jackson Maine, a famous country singer privately battling an alcohol and drug addiction, plays a concert in California ("Black Eyes"). His main support is Bobby, his manager and significantly older half-brother. After the show, Jackson happens upon a drag bar where he witnesses a performance by Ally, a waitress and singer-songwriter ("La Vie en Rose"). Jackson is amazed by her talent; they spend the night speaking to each other, where Ally discloses to him the troubles she has faced in pursuing a professional music career.

5-3-17 Clay Enos 001 — Ally and Jack during the performance of "Shallow".

Jackson invites Ally to his next show. Despite her initial refusal she attends and, with Jackson's encouragement, sings on stage with him ("Shallow"). Jackson invites Ally to go on tour with him, and they slowly begin to form a romantic relationship ("Maybe It's Time"). One night, they begin to initiate sex, but Jackson passes out drunk. In Arizona, Ally and Jackson visit the ranch where Jackson grew up and where his father is buried, only to discover that Bobby sold the land. Angered at his betrayal, Jackson punches Bobby, who subsequently quits as his manager. Before doing so, Bobby reveals that he did try to inform Jackson about the sale, but the latter took no notice of it because he was constantly too inebriated.

4-19-17 Neal Preston 001 — Ally during the performance of "Always Remember Us This Way" on tour.

While on tour ("Always Remember Us This Way") Ally meets Rez, a record producer who offers her a contract. While visibly bothered, Jackson supports her decision. Rez refocuses Ally away from country music and towards pop ("Heal Me"). Jackson misses one of Ally's performances after he passes out drunk in public; he recovers at the home of his friend Noodles, and later makes up with Ally. Afterwards, Jackson proposes to Ally with a ring made from a loop of guitar string, and they are married that same day.

ASIB SNL Still 001 — Ally during the performance of "Why Did You Do That?" on SNL.

While Ally is performing on Saturday Night Live ("Why Did You Do That?"), Bobby reconciles with Jackson. Later, Jackson and Ally fight after he drunkenly voices his disapproval of Ally's new image and music, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. At the Grammys, a visibly intoxicated Jackson performs in a tribute to Roy Orbison, and Ally wins the Best New Artist award. When she goes up on stage to receive her award, Jackson follows her, where he wets himself and passes out. Ally's father Lorenzo berates Jackson and Ally helps him sober up. Jackson joins a drug rehabilitation program shortly thereafter.

Jackson recovers in rehab, where he discloses to his counselor that he attempted suicide as a teenager. He tearfully apologizes to Ally for his behavior, and returns home. Ally wishes to bring Jackson to perform with her on the European leg of her tour; Rez refuses, prompting Ally to cancel the remainder of the tour so she can care for Jackson.

I'll Never Love Again Still 001 — Ally during the performance of "I'll Never Love Again"

Rez later confronts Jackson, informing him of Ally's decision to cancel her tour and accusing him of holding Ally back. That evening, Ally lies to Jackson, and tells him that the label has cancelled her tour so she can focus on her sophomore album. Jackson promises that he will come to her concert that night, but after Ally leaves, he hangs himself in his garage. Ally becomes inconsolable after Jackson's death. She is visited by Bobby, who explains Jackson's death was his own fault and not hers. Ally takes a song that Jackson had written but never performed and decides to sing it at a tribute concert, where she introduces herself as Ally Maine ("I'll Never Love Again").

Production

In January 2011, it was announced that Clint Eastwood was in talks to direct Beyoncé in a third remake of the 1937 film A Star Is Born; however, the project was delayed due to Beyoncé's pregnancy. In April 2012, writer Will Fetters told Collider.com that the script was very inspired by Kurt Cobain. Talks with Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, and Christian Bale failed to cast them, while Tom Cruise was still in talks. On October 9, 2012, Beyoncé left the project, Johnny Depp also rejected and Bradley Cooper was in talks to star. Eastwood was interested in Esperanza Spalding to play the female role. On March 24, 2015, Warner Bros. announced that Cooper was in final talks to make his directorial debut with the film, and potentially to star with Beyoncé, who was in talks to rejoin.

On August 16, 2016, it was reported that Gaga had been officially attached and the studio had green-lit the project to begin production early 2017. On November 9, 2016, it was reported that Ray Liotta was in talks to join the film in the role of the manager to Gaga's character which later went to Sam Elliott. On March 17, 2017, Elliott was added to the cast, with Andrew Dice Clay entering negotiations to play Lorenzo, the father of Gaga's character. In April 2017, Rafi Gavron, Michael Harney and Rebecca Field joined the cast of the film.

Filming of the movie began on April 17, 2017. In May, Dave Chappelle was cast in the film. The filming ended on June 15, 2017. Some extra scenes including Gaga were also filmed on August 9, 2017 in between Gaga’s two performances at The Forum for the Joanne World Tour.

Soundtrack

Main article: A Star Is Born (album)

Along with the movie, special soundtrack was released on October 5, 2018, under Interscope Records accompanying the movie. The soundtrack features 19 songs in a wide range of musical styles + 15 dialogue tracks for the experience of seeing the film. Gaga and Cooper collaborated on the soundtrack album with an assortment of country musicians, including Lukas Nelson, who also stars in the film as a member of Cooper's band. For the more pop-oriented songs on the soundtrack, Gaga teamed up with recurring collaborator DJ White Shadow. The soundtrack also includes contributions from Hillary Lindsey, Mark Ronson, Diane Warren, and Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow.

Fashion

Lady Gaga wears a dress Nili Lotan.

Lady Gaga wears a crop top by Topshop, jeans by Parker Smith, and pumps by Marc Fisher.

Lady Gaga wears a vintage t-shirt by Yes.

Lady Gaga wears a vintage t-shirt, jeans by Miaou tailored by Erin Benach, earrings, custom necklaces, and rings by Loren Stewart, sunglasses by Ray-Ban, sneakers by Converse, and later pumps by Isabel Marant.

Lady Gaga wears a bodysuit by Zara and boots by Tory Burch.

Lady Gaga wears a scarf jacket by Ebony & Ivory.

Lady Gaga wears a vintage blouse by Jeff Banks.

Lady Gaga wears a top and pants by Mara Hoffman.

Lady Gaga wears a dress by For Love & Lemons.

Lady Gaga wears a dress by Raquel Allegra, and a belt by B-Low the Belt.

Lady Gaga wears jeans by Hudson Jeans.

Lady Gaga wears a custom jumpsuit designed by Erin Benach.

Lady Gaga wears trousers by Raquel Allegra.

Lady Gaga wears a catsuit by Akira.

Lady Gaga wears a belt by Alexander McQueen and boots by Saint Laurent.

Lady Gaga wears custom jeans by Parker Smith.

Lady Gaga wears a top, a skirt, and ear cuffs by Saint Laurent.

Lady Gaga wears leggings by Akira.

Lady Gaga wears a custom jacket, a crop top, trousers, and gloves by Erin Benach, and boots by Public Desire.

Lady Gaga wears a jumpsuit by Saint Laurent.

Lady Gaga wears a vest and jeans by DSQUARED2.

Lady Gaga wears a crop top and trousers by Johanna Ortiz.

Lady Gaga wears a custom gown and brooch by Gucci, and earrings by Alexis Bittar.

Lady Gaga wears a shirt by Maki Oh, boots and a backpack by Saint Laurent, and a necklace by Inez & Vinoodh.

Lady Gaga wears earrings, a necklace, and a ring by Jennifer Fisher."

Lady Gaga wears leggings by Adidas.

Lady Gaga wears a custom jumpsuit by Natali Germanotta.

Lady Gaga wears a catsuit by Louise Wallis x Caroline Flach.

Lady Gaga wears a robe Stone Cold Fox.

Lady Gaga wears a custom gown by Muto-Little Costumes designed by Erin Benach, and earrings by Jen Hansen.

Warner Brothers Studios Tour

Scenes

Ally Maine Photoshoot

Original picture taken from Peter Lindbergh.
Unknown photographer.

Gallery

Promotional Posters

Photography by Peter Lindbergh and Neal Preston.

International Posters

For Your Consideration Posters

Promo Photoshoot

Full shoot at photographer Peter Lindbergh's page.

Promotional Images

Photography by Neal Preston, Clay Enos, Alison Cohen Rosa and Peter Lindbergh.

Videos

A Star Is Born - Trailer 1

Shallow

Always Remember Us This Way

Look What I Found

I'll Never Love Again

A Star Is Born - Songwriter

A Star Is Born - One Reason

A Star Is Born - 12 Notes

A Star Is Born - A Way Out

A Star Is Born - Finding Ally’s Voice

A Star Is Born - Finding Jackson’s Voice

Release

A Star Is Born had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 31, 2018. It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, the San Sebastián International Film Festival, and the Zurich Film Festival in September 2018. The film was theatrically released in the United States on October 5, 2018, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, after initially having been set for May 18, 2018 and September 28, 2018 releases.

Region	Date
Venice Film Festival	August 31, 2018
Toronto International Film Festival	September 7 & 12, 2018
Hollywood Premiere	September 24, 2018
American Film Festival	September 26, 2018
London Premiere	September 27, 2018
Jagran Film Festival	September 27, 2018
San Sebastián Film Festival	September 28 & 29, 2018
Zurich Film Festival	October 1 & 2, 2018
Fan event in Dolby Cinema	October 2, 2018
	October 3, 2018
	October 4, 2018
	October 5, 2018
	October 9, 2018
	October 10, 2018
	October 11, 2018
Cinema One Originals Film Festival	October 11, 2018
	October 12, 2018
	October 17, 2018
	October 18, 2018
	October 19, 2018
Tokyo International Film Festival	October 25, 2018
	November 2018
	November 30, 2018
	December 6, 2018
IMAX	December 7, 2018
	December 21, 2018

Home media

Region	Date	Format
N/A	Jan 15, 2019	Digital Download
Region 4	Feb 6, 2019	DVD Special Edition DVD Blu-ray 4K UltraHD SteelBook
Region 3	Feb 11, 2019
Region 1	Feb 19, 2019
Region 2	Feb 21, 2019
Region 1	Feb 19, 2019	Target Exclusive (Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital)
		Walmart Exclusive
		Best Buy Exclusive (SteelBook [4K UltraHD + Blu-Ray + Digital])

Special features
- Jam Sessions and Rarities: "Baby What You Want Me To Do", "Midnight Special" and "Is That Alright?".
- The Road to Stardom: Making A Star is Born
- Music Videos: "Shallow", "Always Remember Us This Way", "Look What I Found" and "I'll Never Love Again".

Target Exclusive Packaging and Bonus Feature:
- A STAR IS BORN: Back Stage Pass.
- Bonus feature includes 20 minutes of bonus content which follows the cast and crew as they perform live at Coachella, The Greek Theater, The Forum, and The Shrine Auditorium.