Carey Mulligan Will Join Bradley Cooper in The Leonard Bernstein Biopic MAESTRO
Carey Mulligan is set to star alongside Bradley Cooper in the upcoming Leonard Bernstein biopic, Maestro. Cooper is set to direct the film and also take on the role of the legendary composer and conductor. Mulligan has been cast as Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein, the wife of Bernstein.
Cooper, who co-wrote the screenplay with Spotlight scribe Josh Singer, has been working with the Bernstein family for three years developing the film. Maestro will tell the “complex love story of Leonard and Felicia, a story that spans over 30 years–from the time they met in 1946 at a party and continuing through two engagements, a 25 year marriage, and three children: Jamie Bernstein, Alexander Bernstein and Nina Bernstein Simmons.”
The Bernstein children were very happy with the idea of Mulligan playing their mom. Jamie Bernstein said in a statement:
“We’re absolutely thrilled that Carey Mulligan will play our mother in Maestro. Carey will surely capture Felicia’s unique combination of wit, warmth, elegant beauty, and depth of emotion. We also love the way Carey conveys a kind of storybook European grace, which was something our mother embodied as well.”
Bradley Cooper added:
“I was struck by Carey ever since I saw her on stage many years ago and I haven’t missed a performance of hers since. I am humbled to be working with such a mammoth talent, as well as such a kind person in Carey.”
Deadline offers some background info on Felicia Montealegre Cohn, sharing that she “was born to a Costa Rican mother and an American father. She moved to NYC at the age of 21 to pursue acting and piano. She performed on many stages — twice on Broadway — and appeared in several television dramas. Growing up, Felicia was keenly aware of her privilege and the many doors it opened for her. She remained a lifelong outspoken advocate for social justice, while pursuing her multiple occupations as performer, painter, wife, and mother.”
Shooting on the film will begin next spring.