Entertainment

Is Beyonce Returning To Acting

by Loretta Donelan

Big news, Beyonce fans — it is once again rumored that Beyoncé will star in A Star Is Born alongside Bradley Cooper. The film, which was reported by Deadline in March 2015, is a remake of the 1976 film starring Barbra Streisand, which was itself a remake of a 1954 version starring Judy Garland, which was a remake of the 1937 original. Cooper is set to direct and star in this version, with Beyoncé originally attached to the project in March. Soon after, she dropped out of the project, which was then set to be directed by Clint Eastwood. Now, with Bradley Cooper at the helm, sources have told Page Six that Bey may be back on board.

Whether or not this is true, Beyoncé has been taking acting classes, presumably in training for upcoming movie roles. Of course, A Star Is Born wouldn't be her first leading role, but it will be her first appearance in a feature film since 2009. The return to acting is an exciting possibility for Beyoncé's fans, especially since the actress so rarely expresses herself outside of her music. It's also exciting because Beyoncé is a pretty great actress. If you need a refresher, here's a look back at her past feature film roles.

Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)

Bey played Foxxy Cleopatra, a secret agent and love interest of Austin Powers. Mike Clark of USA Today described her as a "striking presence thanks to [her] outlandish but dynamite makeup and costuming."

The Fighting Temptations (2003)

In this feel-good musical comedy/drama, Beyoncé played a beautiful lounge singer who captures Cuba Gooding Jr.'s heart. Roger Ebert wrote that she "comes across as warm and sympathetic," and praised the film for using "her in the story instead of just pushing her to the front of every shot."

Dreamgirls (2006)

Probably the acting role she is best known for, Bey starred alongside Jennifer Hudson and Jamie Foxx in the film remake of the hit Broadway play, in a role based on Diana Ross. Beyoncé was nominated for a Golden Globe for best actress, with Dana Stevens of Slate describing her as "a gifted and charismatic performer whose cheekbones alone are an argument for the existence of God."

Cadillac Records (2008)

Bey followed up her role in Dreamgirls by playing another musical icon: Etta James in this biopic about record executive Leonard Chess. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone wrote that "Beyoncé Knowles could have nabbed an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting actress. That's how good she is playing it all sexy, sassy and druggy as Etta James."

Obsessed (2009)

In her most recent film role, not counting a voice acting gig in the animated children's film Epic, Beyoncé starred alongside Idris Elba in a marital drama in which a woman, portrayed by Ali Larter, becomes obsessed with Elba's character. Beyoncé earned praise for giving depth to her role.

Beyoncé should definitely return to acting — and for some reason, I have faith she'll be able to keep making music as well. She is Beyoncé, after all.