Nia Long has been announced to co-star opposite Tony-winning singer-actress Idina Menzel in a film remake of the 1988 Garry Marshall movie Beaches. Long will appear in the role originated by Barbara Hershey, Menzel in the role originated by Bette Midler.
Long was featured in the TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch and in Kanye West's video for “Touch the Sky.”
Deadline.com reported that the cable TV channel Lifetime has greenlighted the project, which will include performances of two classic Midler songs, “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “The Glory of Love.” The remake reportedly will include additional new songs as well.
The film traces the stories of two young women who meet on a beach and become lifelong friends.
Shooting was scheduled to begin this week, with a premiere targeted for 2017 on Lifetime TV. Allison Anders (Ring of Fire) will direct the script by Bart Barker and Nikole Beckwith.
Menzel won her Tony Award for originating the role of Elphaba in Wicked. She was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in the 2014 musical If/Then. Her rendition of the song “Let It Go” in Frozen won an Oscar. Midler is scheduled to star in a Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! in spring 2017.
