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I told you back in July 2023 that Selena Gomez would play Linda Ronstadt in a film written and produced by James Keach.
Then this week Rolling Stone and other outlets ignored that exclusive and just announced it themselves based on a photo Gomez posted of the cover of Ronstadt’s memoir.
That was pretty crappy, right? But now I can tell you EXCLUSIVELY that David O. Russell will direct the film. The award winning director of “Silver Linings Playbook’ and “American Hustle” is a huge Ronstadt fan. This is something he’s wanted to for a long time. It’s likely that the vocals in the film will be mostly from Ronstadt’s recordings, although Gomez has a great voice and could certainly contribute to the soundtrack.
I actually knew this was happening back in the summer, but I was asked to wait until all the t’s were crossed and i’s were dotted. Apparently this now the case. There’s no title yet, but “When Will I Be Loved” sounds like it might fit.
Ronstadt was the pre-eminent female pop star of the 70s into the 80s. She was a hot number, a smart pop tart who took control of her career and her life. She had dozens of hits while dating A listers like George Lucas and California governor Jerry Brown. The Eagles played behind her, she toured with Jackson Browne, and it’s her voice you hear on Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold.”
In the 80s, Linda expanded her portfolio and even appeared to acclaim on Broadway opposite Kevin Kline in “The Pirates of Penzance.” She formed a trio with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris, and had a major hit with Aaron Neville. How all that is packed into two hours is still unclear but Russell will make a terrific film, of that I am sure.
