Renee Zellweger to play Judy Garland in new biopic

Judy will take place in London in the winter of 1968, as the star arrives for a series of sold-out concerts

A new film about the legendary Judy Garland is rolling into production.

Judy will open in London in the winter of 1968 as Garland arrives for a five-week run of sell-out concerts; an exhausted, fragile, 47-year-old who has been in battle her entire life - against her management, against her addictions.

Homesick and desperate to return to her children, Garland begins to doubt whether the shows, at the famous Talk of the Town nightclub, can actually go on.

A rich, complex role that's bound to offer its star a bounty of material to work with (and likely some awards season-friendly element of physical transformation); Variety has now revealed it's Oscar-winner Renée Zellweger who's snapped up the role of Garland.

Judy is based on a script written by The Crown's Tom Edge, produced by BAFTA winner David Livingstone, and directed by Tony nominee Rupert Goold. The production will also involve some of Garland's best-known song. If such a prestigious team can pull it all off, expect some major buzz for this film.

Principal photography on Judy will commence next February, in London.

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