Netflix released some first-look stills this week from the production of its biopic Maestro starring Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan. The titular Maestro is none other than infamous composer Leonard Bernstein with Bradley Cooper behind the camera as director as well as starring in the title role.
Anyone who happened upon the new production photos without previously knowing it was a Bradley Cooper vehicle was likely stunned to learn that it was the Silver Linings Playbook actor portraying the Westside Story composer.
Bradley Cooper’s Directing Star Is Born
The film follows the American composer and his wife Felicia Montealegre (Mulligan) over the course of 30 years, and even in production stills from their early years, Cooper still isn’t totally recognizable. It’s a testament to the film’s makeup department certainly, but also indicative of Netflix’s hefty investment in the production value of the film. It suggests that Netflix has gone all-in on Cooper’s second directorial effort, with Maestro being his follow-up to the charming and inescapably popular A Star Is Born from 2018.
With Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg credited as producers on the film, both were close to signing on to direct at various points during its development, but somehow Cooper came out on top. It’s another indication that Cooper’s star is one Netflix is banking on shining bright.
Maestro Won’t Face the Music Just Yet
Production just began on the biopic, so unfortunately Cooper and Bernstein fans will have to wait until 2023 to see if the finished product is as awe-inspiring as the production stills.
In the meantime, fans can satisfy their Bradley Cooper cravings with Silver Linings Playbook streaming now on Netflix. Additionally, A Star is Born is available to rent on Amazon Prime.
For Bernstein die-hards, Spielberg’s update of Westside Story is streaming now on HBO Max.
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