Dramas interrogating the strange realities of pop-stardom are so hot right now, and Hailee Steinfeld — actress and pop singer — will not be left out of the trend. Deadline reports that Steinfeld is closing a deal to lead and produce the film Idol, which was bought by Netflix, and apparently had interest from Universal and Paramount, as well. In a phenomenal set of comparisons, the story is described as “Devil Wears Prada meets All About Eve†and is “set in the high-stakes world of pop music.†Steinfeld’s character will be the Eve Harrington-esque archetype in this scenario, playing the assistant to an “iconic-type singer†who tries to supplant her employer by attempting to “morph into her.â€
It’s not clear whether “morph†is literal and Idol will actually involve some insane Lynchian body horror, or if it’s “morph†in the sense of learning the “iconic-type†singer’s ways and supplanting her in the limelight. With an arched eyebrow as vicious as Steinfeld’s, either scenario seems plausible. (But can it please be the body horror option?) It’s worth noting, too, that Federal Films, which is the film division of the actress-singer’s label, Republic Records, is one of the producers. According to Deadline, Steinfeld will be “heavily involved†in the music for Idol. Naturally.