Lily Collins, known for her role as Emily in the Netflix hit Emily in Paris, is set to portray screen legend Audrey Hepburn in an upcoming film that will delve into the making of the iconic 1961 romantic comedy, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The project, based on Sam Wasson’s nonfiction book Fifth Avenue, 5 AM: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the Dawn of the Modern Woman, promises a detailed look at the challenges and triumphs surrounding the production of a cinematic classic.
Collins shared her excitement about the role on Instagram, revealing that the project has been in development for nearly a decade. “It’s with almost 10 years of development and a lifetime of admiration and adoration for Audrey that I’m finally able share this,” she wrote, expressing her honor and enthusiasm for the opportunity. The as-yet-untitled film will be scripted by Alena Smith, the creator of Apple TV’s Dickinson and will explore the complex story behind the beloved film.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, originally a 1958 novella by Truman Capote, captivated audiences with its portrayal of Holly Golightly, a Latest York socialite navigating life, and love. The story, narrated by a struggling writer, explores themes of identity, loneliness, and the search for belonging. The 1961 film adaptation, however, took significant liberties with Capote’s original function, shifting the setting to 1960 and altering the narrator’s character.
A Contentious Casting and Production History
The casting of Hepburn herself was not without its drama. Capote reportedly desired Marilyn Monroe for the role of Holly Golightly and actively lobbied Paramount Pictures to cast her. However, Monroe was under contract with Twentieth Century Fox at the time, and her acting coach, Paula Strasberg, advised against taking the part, stating, “Marilyn Monroe will not play a lady of the evening,” according to reports. Shirley MacLaine and Kim Novak also turned down the role before Hepburn was ultimately cast, much to Capote’s dismay. He later complained that Hepburn was “the most miscast film I’ve ever seen.”
Paramount’s marketing team faced a challenge in presenting Golightly to the public, given the character’s unconventional lifestyle. Ahead of the film’s release, they actively worked to distance her image from any association with sex work, issuing press releases emphasizing Hepburn’s “pure, polite and possibly a princess” persona. One release explicitly stated, “The star is Audrey Hepburn, not Tawdry Hepburn.”
Despite the behind-the-scenes tensions, Breakfast at Tiffany’s became a critical and commercial success, earning approximately $14 million at the global box office – equivalent to around $152 million today – and winning two Academy Awards: Best Score for Henry Mancini and Best Song for “Moon River,” performed by Hepburn herself. Deadline reports that the new film will offer the “first complete account of the making of the film.”
What to Expect from the New Biopic
The upcoming film promises to reveal the drama that unfolded both before and during production, including an incident where a crew member reportedly suffered a near-electrocution during the filming of the iconic opening sequence outside Tiffany & Co. On Fifth Avenue. Casting announcements for other key figures, including Truman Capote and director Blake Edwards, are still pending.
This isn’t the first time Audrey Hepburn’s life has been brought to the screen. Jennifer Love Hewitt portrayed the actress in the 2000 television movie, The Audrey Hepburn Story. More recently, Rooney Mara was attached to a Hepburn biopic directed by Luca Guadagnino, but that project was ultimately cancelled in 2023. The Los Angeles Times details the long journey to bring Hepburn’s story to the screen.
Lily Collins herself revealed a “decadelong journey” to secure the role, highlighting her long-held admiration for Hepburn. The film is expected to offer a nuanced portrayal of the making of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, shedding light on the creative clashes, studio pressures, and personal complexities that shaped a cinematic masterpiece.
As production moves forward, audiences can anticipate further details regarding casting and a potential release date. The film promises to be a compelling exploration of a Hollywood icon and the enduring legacy of one of cinema’s most beloved films.
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