If you haven't yet had the heart-wrenching experience of watching the 1988 film Beaches (first of all, shame on you) we won't spoil the ending but prepare to arm yourself with a shed load of tissues and a tub of Ben & Jerry's cookie dough ice cream (make it two tubs, actually) because it's sure to bring on the waterworks.
But if that emotional roller coaster wasn't enough, it's just been announced that US television channel Lifetime is remaking the iconic film and has cast Broadway actress Idina Menzel to take over Bette Midler's iconic role, Cecilia Carol "C.C." Bloom.
According to Entertainment Weekly:
'The Frozen singer has signed onto Lifetime's remake of the 1988 Beaches that starred Bette Midler and featured her classic tune Wind Beneath My Wings, EW has learned. Menzel will take over Midler's role of CC, an aspiring singer who develops a lifelong friendship with a rich girl named Hillary at the boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In the new version, however, the pals connect at the Venice boardwalk in Los Angeles.'
Despite winning an Oscar for Frozen's hit song Let It Go, Menzel has some pretty big shoes to fill as Bette Middler's iconic performance of Wind Beneath My Wings from Beaches went on to win Grammy Awards for Record and Song of the Year in 1990 and became an anthem for female friendship across the world.
EW adds: 'The Lifetime movie is expected to feature new takes on 'Wind Beneath My Wings' and 'The Glory of Love' and include several other songs recorded specifically for the movie.'
The rest of the remake's cast is yet to be confirmed but the announcement of Menzel's role comes just days after the death of the original film's director, Gary Marshall.
Beaches charts the 30-year friendship of Cecilia Carol "C.C." Bloom and Hillary Whitney from childhood to adulthood through love, laughter, heartbreak and tragedy.
Unfortunately, we won't be able to watch the new version until next year so in the meantime, here's a clip of the original Wind Beneath My Wings to get you excited/sobbing.
[youtube ]https://youtu.be/oiS8YokFzeY [/youtube]
You're welcome.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
