John Travolta (who may also star in the film) dropped the news about the project, which is in very early stages at this point, in an interview with Extra. “Barbra [has been] wanting to do Gypsy for years, and she’s been developing it,” said the actor, “and I think she always visualized Gaga as Louise and maybe me as Herbie.” The admission may explain Streisand’s meeting with Gaga in person over the summer.
John Travolta and American Horror Story producer Ryan Murphy facilitated Streisand and Lady Gaga’s introduction, which took place in the form of a dinner party at Streisand’s home. Murphy told E! that Streisand admires the pop star for being “fearless” and it looks like the two divas clicked.
While it’s unclear whether or not Streisand talked with Gaga about a role in Gypsy at the dinner, it seems likely the role was discussed. Streisand confirmed last fall that the musical remake is possible, after years of negotiations with its late writer Arthur Laurents. “Well, you know, it took a long time to get the rights to Gypsy,” she said according to Playbill. “And then we had one version of it and now there’s another one gonna be written. Who knows, I’d like to play [Rose]. I think it would be a nice bookend to Funny Girl … I loved [songwriter] Jule Styne, and I think it’s a brilliant piece.”
It may be awhile before the remake — which doesn’t have a release date or studio attached to it — comes to fruition. Gaga begins her run starring on American Horror Story: Hotel tomorrow night, and is working on her fifth album. John Travolta (unsurprisingly) has his plate quite full as well: he’s about to star as the mobster John Gotti in a new biopic, and will play defense attorney Robert Shapiro in next year’s FX miniseries American Crime Story: The People Versus OJ Simpson.
