Anne Hathaway's Judy Garland Biopic Delayed

Production on an upcoming biopic of Judy Garland, starring Anne Hathaway, has been pushed back to allow the actress and movie executives extra time to deal with the "sensitive project".

The Devil Wears Prada star last year signed on to play the Wizard of Oz legend in a big screen adaptation of biographer Gerald Clarke's 2001 book Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland.

Work on the movie has yet to begin and Hathaway reveals production may not start until late 2012 - to make sure the film correctly portrays Garland's life story.

Speaking on BBC Radio Four's Front Row radio show, the actress says, "It's a very sensitive project and there have been so many stories told about her life that we're really trying to get it right.

"So we're taking our time with it. I know it seems like it's sort of an endless process but it's very, very slow incremental steps.

"I had a meeting about it a couple of weeks ago and we're all very motivated."

Hathaway also opened up about the struggles of playing Garland on the big screen, adding, "I certainly don't sing like Judy Garland... But I think people might cry murder if they don't get to hear Judy's beloved voice so the talk is for me to sing but I don't know if that's exactly what will happen."

Remembering Judy Garland on Her Birthday

Judy is a FOREVER STAR! Had she lived, the great star and gay icon would have been 88 years old today.

But Judy Garland, star of The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me In St. Louis, A Star is Born and scores of other movies during the golden age of Hollywood, died much too soon – she was just 47 when she passed away in 1969.

But it is her life we celebrate today.

She left behind not only the wonderful movies, but so many recordings, dozens of episodes of TV’s The Judy Garland Show, and three children: Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft and Joe Luft. It’s quite a legacy.

Lorna recently said at the Turner Movie Classics Film Festival: "Every time that my mother is celebrated, it’s wonderful. Every time that someone celebrates her, every time some mom and dad sits their little boy or little girl down in front of a television to watch The Wizard of Oz, how great is that? What an honor that is.”

Dorothy will always live in our hearts!

Why Liza Minnelli Can’t Watch “The Wizard of Oz”

If your mom was the star of one of the most beloved movies of all time, you’d probably want to watch that film from time to time.

Not Liza Minnelli.

Her mother, Judy Garland, is the star of The Wizard of Oz which is celebrating its 7oth anniversary this year and continues to enchant generation after generation of kids.

But Garland’s character of Dorothy and her friends Scarecrow, Tun Man and the Cowardly Lion have to fight off the Wicked Witch of the West and other horrors as they make the journey to Emerald City to seek the help of The Wizard of Oz.

“I just loved her so and for some reason ‘The Wizard of Oz’ bothers me when I see it,” Liza tells the Associated Press. “They do terrible things to her. … That’s ’cause it’s my mom.”

Judy Garland is Top Gay Icon of All Time

Movie legend Judy Garland has been named the top female gay icon of all time in a new online poll.

The late Hollywood star was voted above celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Madonna, who were named second and third respectively, and another film icon, Marilyn Monroe, who came in sixth place.

Meanwhile Sir Elton John was awarded the title for the top male gay icon in the survey by http://www.onepoll.com/.

The Rocket Man was placed above late Queen star Freddie Mercury, British actor Stephen Fry, and Faith hitmaker George Michael, as well as playwright Oscar Wilde, who rounded out the top five.

A spokesperson from http://www.onepoll.com/, who commissioned the survey of over 5,000 gay men and women, said: “Interestingly only one of the men in the top 10 list of male celebrity gay icons isn’t gay – David Beckham. And yet most of the women put on a pedestal by the gay community are straight.

“It just shows that to advocate a certain way of living, you don’t have to live the lifestyle but simply be more accepting of those around you.”

Check out the top ten female and male gay icons of all time below:

Top Ten Female Celebrity Gay Icons:
1. Judy Garland
2. Kylie Minogue
3. Madonna
4. Cher
5. Liza Minnelli
6. Marilyn Monroe
7. Shirley Bassey
8. Lily Savage
9. Dusty Springfield
10. Barbra Streisand

Top Ten Male Celebrity Gay Icons of All Time:
1. Elton John
2. Freddie Mercury
3. Stephen Fry
4. George Michael
5. Oscar Wilde
6. Will Young
7. Alan Carr
8. Paul O’Grady
9. Boy George
10. David Beckham

Anne Hathaway Nervous About Garland Biopic

Anne Hathaway is terrified about taking on the role of iconic singer Judy Garland - branding herself "insane" for agreeing to play the late star in a biopic.

The Devil Wears Prada actress will play the Wizard of Oz legend in a big screen adaptation of biographer Gerald Clarke's 2001 book Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland.

And despite showing off her song-and-dance skills during a musical medley with Hugh Jackman at the Oscars in February, Hathaway still isn't sure she has the talents to do the part justice.

She tells the New York Daily News, "I think I'm either naive or insane to play her - maybe a little bit of both!"

But at least Hathaway has the backing of another musical veteran - Garland's daughter Liza Minnelli.

She adds, "I haven't had a chance to talk to her about it yet, but I understand that as long as I treat Judy with respect - which of course I will - Liza is very happy about it."

Minnelli's Plea to Garland Producers

Liza Minnelli is urging filmmakers to avoid focusing on her late mother Judy Garland's drug addiction in an upcoming production.

Actress Anne Hathaway will be tackling The Wizard Of Oz star's hits as part of the Weinstein Company's planned theatre and film project, based on biographer Gerald Clarke's 2001 book Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland.

Garland's daughter Minnelli has approved of casting Hathaway in the role, but is convinced the new versions must focus on her mother's talent instead of her well-documented personal problems.

Minnelli tells Canada's Citytv, "Well, I love Anne Hathaway. And I hope that it's a good movie and I hope that it's true. You know, that they don't just concentrate on the crap like they usually do.

"(I hope) that they talk about her the way she should be talked about which was she was a fabulous entertainer, a great mother and just a wonderful human being."

Anne Hathaway to Play Judy Garland

Oscar nominee Anne Hathaway is to double up as Judy Garland in an ambitious new theatre and film project, which will bring the beloved Wizard Of Oz star's life story to the stage and the big screen.

The Rachel Getting Married star showed off her song-and-dance skills when she performed with Hugh Jackman at the Oscars in February and now she'll be able to tackle Garland's hits as part of the Weinstein Company's planned adaptations of biographer Gerald Clarke's 2001 book Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland.

Clarke waded through hundreds of interviews with the singer/actress and used her own unfinished and unpublished autobiography to chronicle the highs and lows of the cultural icon’s life.

In making the announcement about the stage and screen projects, Weinstein boss Harvey Weinstein told WENN, "We are thrilled to have the brilliantly talented Anne Hathaway portray stage and screen legend Judy Garland. I have worked with Anne on projects in the past and have known her for many years. She will be a true class act in this challenging role.

"Gerald Clarke’s biography is a fascinating and comprehensive look at Garland’s life and is particularly outstanding because of its exclusive details from her own writings. Her story is incredible subject matter for both theatre and film and we look forward to bringing it to audiences."