Kidman Gets ‘Dusty’

Following in the steps of the battling biopics – Capote (2005) vs. Infamous (2006) and Gus Van Sant’s Milk (2008) vs. Bryan Singer’s The Mayor of Castro Street (his Superman distraction might have permanently shelved this project) – 20th Century Fox and Universal have both announced that they will be tackling biopics about the British pop singer Dusty Springfield.

Following her breakout as a part of the British invasion in the 1960s, Springfield became known for her sultry, erotic, husky voice supported by a peroxide blonde beehive, overstated evening gowns and excessive eyeliner. Springfield’s personal life was haunted by drugs, alcohol and mental illness. Both Nicole Kidman and Kristin Chenoweth, who worked together on the 2005’s remake of Bewitched, are set to “Dusty-it-out” on the separate projects.

Attached to star in the Universal biopic Dusty Springfield is the petite, blonde, Broadway bombshell, Chenoweth. No one of sane mind will doubt this Tony-winning star’s belting abilities.  But is Chenoweth ready to take on a leading lady in a feature film?  Aside from bit roles in bit films, Chenoweth has only made a splash on the small screen with a recurring role in The “West Wing” and, most recently, a co-starring role in “Pushing Daisies.”

Variety announced that Nicole Kidman, who is also producing, will star in Fox’s Untitled Dusty Springfield biopic. Kidman will be reunited with Michael Cunningham, who is penning the script and was infamously responsible for the novel which The Hours was based off of, in which Kidman delivered an exquisite performance as Virginia Woolf. There is no question that Kidman’s acting abilities will allow her to tackle this role full force, but what can we say about her singing abilities?  Kidman first sang for  audiences rather feebly, but quite sweetly, in Moulin Rouge.  Even more recently, Kidman sang a duet called “Somethin’ Stupid” with Robbie WIlliams for his swing covers album Swing When You’re Winning.  Check out the duet below and judge for yourself if Kidman will be able to croon like Springfield (or Chenoweth, for the matter).