Beyoncé has signed on to play the role of Esther Blodgett, the small-time nightclub singer who eventually achieves international stardom, previously played by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, among others. The Warner Bros. project was set to begin production as early as February 2012.

Will Fetters has penned the script for the latest version of "A Star is Born," which concerns the tumultuous relationship between Esther Blodgett and Norman Maine.

Billy Gerber, Basil Iwanyk and Jon Peters are producers alongside Eastwood.

George Cukor directed the 1954 film "A Star Is Born," which co-starred Judy Garland as Vicki Lester (Esther Blodgett) and James Mason as Norman Maine. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role (Mason), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Garland), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Original Song (Gershwin and Arlen's "The Man That Got Away") and Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture. Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson starred in a 1976 remake.