Tell us something girl, has Lady Gaga's star ever burned brighter than in A Star Is Born, directed by her co-star, Bradley Cooper?
Alas, the critically-acclaimed drama, which earned the superstar singer her first-ever Oscar for Best Original Song, isn't the first of its kind. In fact, the 2018 film is the third remake since Janet Gaynor and Fredric March originated the roles more than eight decades ago. Though details have changed—the O.G. stars certainly didn't perform at Coachella, for example—the heart of the story has stayed the same.
Although, it's taken a lot of work to guarantee just that. Back in 2011, director Clint Eastwood began developing the remake with Beyoncé set to star. But the film stalled in development hell. At various points, Christian Bale, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Smith were either attached or being considered to play the male lead opposite the "Single Ladies" chart topper.
After mulling it over, Cooper actually turned down the role, deciding he was too inexperienced at that stage in his life to play the down-and-out rock star. Around that time, Eastwood also expressed an in Esperanza Spalding taking over the lead role from Bey. But, eventually, he bowed out of the film and Cooper took over in 2015, casting Gaga as his muse a year later.
Now, in celebration of Cooper's birthday, join us as we look back on all the shining stars who, well, starred in A Star Is Born:
This story was originally published on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. PT.