Why revisit this?

Lady Gaga

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotto

I imagine there are many fans who know the relationship between the two persons pictured above — they are actually the same person.

I bring this up because of the questions I have surrounding a remake of A Star is Born that is apparently in pre-production for possible release in the fall of 2018 starring Bradley Cooper in the role played by Fredric March in 1937, James Mason in 1954 and Kris Kristofferson 1976; and Lady Gaga in the part played respectively by Janet Gaynor, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.

My first question is why are the studios dragging out this woeful tale of a fading alcoholic star falling in love with and promoting the career of a rising star?. The first two films involved an alcoholic actor coming to the aid of an aspiring actress. In the 1976 version, the principals were singers. The ‘37 film was a nice soap opera, the ‘54 version actually turned out to be an excellent film. But the ‘76 version was a disaster (even though it is, as far as I know, the only feature film in which I make a brief on-screen appearance). The new version, which Cooper is also directing, appears to be following in the footsteps of the ‘76 remake. Where the filmmakers of the ‘76 film staged their own rock concert in Tempe, Ariz., to film certain scenes, Cooper shot his concert footage during Coachella. Not only that, this basic storyline was handled expertly in the fairly recent The Artist. There is absolutely no need to inflict this same tale on the public one more time.

The second question is why in heaven’s name is Lady Gaga insisting she be billed in the film as Stefani Germanotta? It comes across as an ego thing — "I’m appearing under my real name, or at least my real first and last names, because I want to be taken seriously as a film artist."

Sure. Fine, Whatever.

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga filming "A Star Is Born"