GYPSY Movie Finds New Scribe; Barbra Streisand to Star AND Direct?

As BWW previously reported, Matthew Warchus will not be joining Barbra Streisand as helmer for Universal's upcoming GYPSY big-screen adaptation, but now Nikki Finke writes that Babs could be considering a dual role as 'Mama Rose' and director for the project.

Streisand last directed a musical in 1983 -- Yentl, which she also produced, co-wrote and starred in.

The GYPSY film also just hired a new screenwriter to adapt the Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents musical -- Richard LaGravenese -- who worked with Streisand in 1996 on The Mirror Has Two Faces. Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes wrote a draft for GYPSY back in 2012; no word on how much of his version will be used, if at all.

LaGravenese is known for his Oscar-nominated script for 1991's The Fisher King and for his work on HBO's Behind the Candelabra. His big screen adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, starring Jeremy Jordan and Anna Kendrick, will hit the big screen this year. Among his other writing credits are Beautiful Creatures, Water for Elephants, The Bridges of Madison County, A Little Princess and more.

Streisand has appeared on Broadway in I Can Get It For You Wholesale and Funny Girl. She has also received a special Tony Award. Her film work includes Funny Girl, Funny Lady, Yentl, and Nuts. A lauded performer, she has won numerous awards including the Oscar, Grammy, and Emmy awards.