Confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, Barry Jenkins and Zendaya are poised to unite their talents for a cinematic venture chronicling the life of musical icon Ronnie Spector. Jenkins will helm the biographical drama, with Zendaya stepping into the shoes of the American chanteuse who co-founded and spearheaded the iconic 1960s girl group, the Ronettes. Dave Kajganich has crafted an original screenplay that delves into the life narrative of Spector, whose fame soared alongside the Ronettes through hits like "Be My Baby" and "Walking in the Rain."
It is reported that Jenkins and Zendaya have devised a portrayal of Spector's life that strives to encapsulate the audience within the singer's tumultuous existence with the troubled producer Phil Spector, rather than adhering to a conventional career-spanning biography. Spector passed away in January 2022, aged 78, after a brief struggle with cancer. The Ronettes, with their distinctive appearance and potent vocals, coupled with Phil Spector's songwriting and production prowess, cemented their status as one of the foremost acts of the girl-group era. They toured England alongside The Rolling Stones and forged friendships with The Beatles.
Following their 1967 tour of Germany, the Ronettes disbanded. In 1968, Spector married Ronnie, whom she later claimed imprisoned her within their Beverly Hills mansion. Her 1990 autobiography, titled Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts and Madness, reveals a tale of abuse and unhappy times. The couple divorced in 1974. Meanwhile, Phil Spector faced legal repercussions, serving time in prison for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson in 2009, and ultimately passed away in 2020.
A24 acquired the highly sought-after script in 2022, with Jenkins and Zendaya collaborating to bring this compelling project to the silver screen. Alongside A24, producers include Zendaya, Marc Platt, Adam Siegel, Mark Itkin, and Tom Shelly, while Jonathan Greenfield will serve as executive producer. Deadline was the first to break news on A24's Ronnie Spector project.
