Filming Rumored to Start for '60s Music Legend Biopic Starring Zendaya
Barry Jenkins' long-awaited Ronnie Spector biopic starring Zendaya is expected to start filming in the fall. The biopic has been in production for a number of years withThe Drama actress attached as the lead since it was announced.
Jenkins cinematographer, James Laxton, recently told The Playlist that he's getting ready to shoot two Jenkins projects, with the first expected to go into production as early as this fall. Jenkins is famous for directing Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, both of which saw their cast win Academy Awards for their performances.
"I'm going to be a bit cagey about them because we don't know when they started and we don't know which one's going to go first. So, I'm not going to spill too many beans, but there's supposed to be some films in the fall or next year from Barry that we will hope to see on the screen in 2027," said the cinematographer.
World of Reel theorized that one of these projects will be the long-awaited Be My Baby and the other The Intuitionist, based on the first novel by Colson Whitehead.
A few weeks ago, Zendaya teased the musical biopic to Elle Magazine, saying the project has "been a long time coming," and would be "more experimental than a traditional biopic."
Appearing on The Jennifer Hudson Show in April, Zendaya spoke to the singer and host about playing the late singer. "I'm very sad that she's not going to be able to be with us while we're making this film, but it just puts a fire under me to want to do her even more justice and make her more proud."
Ronnie Spector passed away on January 12th, 2022, aged 78, after a short battle with cancer. Zendaya had spent time with The Ronettes' singer before her passing, with Spector having hand-selected the Euphoriastar to play her.
"She's so important. The fact that, prior to that, I knew her music, but I didn't know who she was, and I didn't know her story, which I think is not fair," the Dune actress added. The fall is the first time Zendaya will not be promoting a project. The actress has had a busy year, appearing in The Drama, Euphoria, the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Dune: Part Three and The Odyssey.
The movie is set to be based on Spector's 1990 memoir Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, or My Life as a Fabulous Ronette. According to Deadline, the creative team behind the film "agreed on a version of Spector's story that could immerse audiences in what the singer's life with the troubled producer Phil Spector felt like rather than a traditional cradle to the grave biopic."
Be My Baby is expected to cover Ronnie's abusive marriage to convicted murderer Phil Spector as well as her career. The pair were married in 1968 and split in 1974. In her memoir, Spector detailed the torment that occurred during the marriage, alleging that she was essentially trapped as a prisoner in the house, which led to her alcohol issues.
Related: 1986 Pop Rock Classic, Originally 'Hated' by Singer, Became a Career-Defining No. 1 Hit
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 12:59 PM.