Dolly Parton could be the next iconic singer to be given the biopic treatment. Parton, who has spent decades establishing an iconic career in music, is certainly among the most revered singers of all time. The country legend continues to make music in addition to her acting work, though she's looking to bring those two loves together again for a project that would delve into her own personal history.
In February, Parton appeared as a guest on the Mr. Nashville Speaks radio show. During the conversation, she mentioned that there are currently "talks" about telling Parton's life story with a musical biopic. The concept was originally conceived as a Broadway musical adaptation, but when the pandemic put those plans on hold, Parton realized that the idea may be better suited as a feature film. As Parton explains:
"Oh, yes [I want to make a biopic]... We were really, really way out ahead [on the planned Broadway version], and then the COVID hit with that, and that changed my mind about a whole lot of things. I do intend someday to be on Broadway, but I'm thinking now that I might do my life story as a feature, and maybe even possibly a musical feature. So, we're in talks about that."
As Parton is truly a one-of-a-kind performer, finding someone to play her convincingly could be a challenge. Complicating matters is that Parton would need multiple actresses to play her at different time periods in her life. Parton says she's not sure who she'd want to play her, but she does tease that she could appear in the biopic as the oldest version of Dolly.
"You have to have at least two Dollys, well three Dollys really. You have to have the little Dolly, we'd have to have the medium one, and now that I've lived long enough to be older, I might play myself as my old self. I don't know, but anyhow, there's many ways to do it."
Dolly Parton Has Just Lined Up Her Next Movie Project
It's hard to say if and when the Dolly Parton biopic will materialize, but the singer has lined up her next feature film. She will produce and star in Run, Rose, Run, a new movie based on the novel Parton co-wrote with James Patterson. Reese Witherspoon has also boarded the project to produce under her Hello Sunshine banner alongside Parton and Patterson.
"Growing up in Nashville, I've loved Dolly since the moment I heard her magical voice and saw her luminous personality shine onstage," Witherspoon said of the partnership. "Beyond her magnetic presence as an artist and performer, she is one of the greatest songwriters and storytellers of our time. Her impact knows no bounds — as a musician, actor, writer, businesswoman, activist and all around incredible human being — Dolly Parton is not only an icon to me, but a true inspiration to women and girls everywhere."
Run, Rose, Run does not have a release date at this time.