Liza Minnelli "does not approve nor sanction" Renee Zellweger playing the role of mom Judy Garland in upcoming film
Taking gossip columns to the task, Judy Garland's 72-year-old daughter, Liza Minnelli, took to Facebook on Thursday to clear out doubts about her meeting with Renee Zellweger, who is to star as Garland in the actor's upcoming biopic.
The Broadway World reported on Radar Online's exclusive coverage of Zellweger and Minnelli's genuine liking for each other since Zellweger is playing the role of her mom in the upcoming Judy Garland biopic. The report on Radar has since been removed. The article had stated that it gained information from an anonymous insider about Minnelli and Zellweger bonding over the biopic and that Zellweger, "wanted Liza's blessing before she committed to 'Judy' and says she couldn't go through with the movie without it."
However, the Oscar-winning 72-year-old actress posted on Facebook, denying any such meeting.
According to a report by People, the 49-year-old actress, Zellweger was spotted on the film sets, absolutely unrecognizable in her costume as Judy Garland.
The biopic which is being done from Pathe, BBC Films, and Ingenious Media, is being shot in London. It is set in the 1960s when Garland arrives in the city for a run of sell-out concerts. Along with Zellweger, the cast includes Jesse Buckley from 'War and Peace', Finn Wittrock from 'American Horror Story', and Michael Gambon from the 'Harry Potter' series. Michael Gambon is set to play the character of manager Bernard Delfont, while Bella Ramsey will portray Garland's daughter Lorna Luft and Gemma-Leah Devereux will play the young Minnelli.
According to a report on Variety, the film will also look into Garland's issues with the management, her relationships with musicians and fans, and the unfolding family drama which will provide a backdrop for her London performance in the film.
Judy Garland is best known for her role as Alice in 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939), 'A Star is Born' (1954), 'Easter Parade' (1948). She was married to Mickey Deans for only three months when she died of an accidental barbiturate overdose after her London tour ended in June 1969. She was 47. Her biopic 'Judy' is being directed by Rupert Goold who is known for his adaptation of historical dramas such as, 'Macbeth', 'Richard II', and 'King Charles III'.