Barbra Streisand has shared her thoughts on the 2018 remake of A Star is Born, saying she feels the film had “the wrong idea”.
Streisand starred in the 1976 version of the film alongside Kris Kristofferson. That was the third remake of the original 1937 film, starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. There was also a 1954 version, with Judy Garland and James Mason.
In an interview with The Sunday Project, Streisand said she thought the initial rumours of a new version of the film starring Beyonce and Will Smith were more interesting than the film that was eventually made, with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in the lead roles.
“At first, when I heard it was going to be done again, it was supposed to be Will Smith and Beyonce, and I thought, that’s interesting. Really make it different again, different kind of music, integrated actors ... I thought that was a great idea,” she said.
“So, I was surprised when I saw how alike it was to the version that I did in 1976.”
Streisand said that while she “thought it was the wrong idea” for the remake, she “can’t argue with success” after it grossed $436 million at the box office.
“I don’t care so much about success as I do originality,” she said.
However, despite her latest comments, Streisand has praised both Cooper and Gaga’s performances.
In 2018, Streisand told Extra: “I loved it. I think it’s wonderful. [Gaga is] wonderful.”
Both Cooper and Gaga praised Streisand during the film’s press tour, saying she gave the two actors her blessing.
