How Did Bradley Cooper Convince Steven Spielberg to Quit a Special Project ‘Maestro’?
With blue eyes, and that scintillating smile the nine-time Academy Award-nominated actor Bradley Copper looks no less than a Greek God. The handsome actor is well known for his critically acclaimed projects like A Star Is Born and Silver Linings Playbook. His first directorial project A Star Is Born was widely nominated at the 90th Academy Awards.
The Hangover actor wears his director’s hat again for one of his magnum opus projects Maestro. The biographical drama is based on the life of the legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein. Not many people know that Maestro was supposed to be directed by the legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, but somehow Bradley Cooper went on to convince him to let him direct Maestro.
Bradley Cooper Convinced Steven Spielberg To Let Him Make Maestro
At first, Bradley Cooper was just supposed to play the character of the protagonist in the biographical drama based on the life of Leonard Bernstein. During his appearance on reputed media outlet Variety’s special section Actors On Actors series, Bradley Cooper spoke about his master project along with two-time Academy Award winner actor Mahershala Ali. While talking about directing Maestro, the actor spoke about how he went on to convince Steven Spielberg to become the brain behind the project. He said-
“I [told Spielberg], ‘I always felt like I could play a conductor, but may I research the material and see if I can write it and direct it? Would you let me do that?’ Steven has a lot of interests. He’ll just choose one thing, and all of the other things will be on hold. I think he knew he wasn’t going to make that movie for a while.”
He further added-
“He was kind enough to hand it off to me, and that’s what I’ve been doing for the last four and a half years. And we start shooting in May.”
Bradley Cooper already has a proven record with respect to his great acting prowess. He would be seen portraying the character of the reputed conductor Leonard Bernstein and actor Carey Mulligan would be seen as his wife Felicia Montealegre.
Bradley Cooper Would Be Missing The First Premiere Of Maestro
Bradley Cooper tried his best to get the first premiere of Maestro at the prestigious Venice Film Festival this year. His first directorial venture A Star Is Born was also premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2018. He even went on to request the director of the reputed film festival for the Italian debut of Maestro.
According to Alberto Barbera, the director of the Venice Film Festival, Bradley Cooper would be missing the premiere of his second directorial project. He said-
“So far, the only filmmaker who definitely won’t be in Venice is Bradley Cooper because he’s also the leading actor. He called me and said he desperately wanted the film to be in Venice, that it was his dream come true, but he didn’t want to come against the strike. I understand, of course.”
While talking about the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA stikes, Alberto Barbera added-
“I’d already closed the selection for the festival when we got the news about the strikes. We spent a few days concerned that we could lose all the films from the US. It was an extremely difficult weekend.”
The Nightmare Alley actor would be supporting the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes along with other reputed names from the entertainment industry including Jacob Elordi, Mads Mikkelsen, Jessica Chastain, Cailee Spaeny, and Adam Driver.
Check out the official trailer of Maestro given below.
Source: Variety
