Beyoncé Knowles has had it all before turning 30, yet is still humbled by what she calls "the biggest opportunity of my life" -- the lead role in Clint Eastwood's remake of the film, A Star is Born.

 

The singer and burgeoning actress, whose fourth solo album 4 debuted at No. 1 on pop charts after its release in June, told Reuters she felt lucky to have landed the iconic role previously played by Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland.

 

Eastwood will helm the fourth remake of the story about rising singer and actress Esther Blodgett, and Beyoncé fondly remembers being a young girl and watching previous versions of the movie with her mother.

 

"It's when I became a fan of Barbra Streisand's. And I then saw Judy Garland's version of A Star is Born and I realized every 20 to 30 years a new star is born and a new talent represents that generation and era -- so I didn't think that I would ever get the opportunity to be the star," she said.

 

Beyoncé has won 16 Grammy Awards, is married to rapper mogul Jay-Z, has topped Forbes magazine's lists of the most powerful and influential celebrities and is one of the world's top-grossing musicians. She starred in other movies with large ensemble casts, such as the widely-praised Dreamgirls, but she said meeting Oscar winner Eastwood still made her quiver.

 

"I met with Clint and I was so nervous and I know that it is the biggest opportunity of my life. I will work as hard as I can," she said. "Because I can't wait. And I am so happy that he trusts me and I am in good hands and I am so fortunate."

 

The film is due to begin shooting at the end of the year and, according to showbiz website Deadline Hollywood, may also co-star Leonardo DiCaprio. But for now, Beyoncé is still busy managing the singing career that she has taken over from her father and longtime manager, Mathew Knowles.

 

The switch has the music industry watching closely. Without directly addressing her father, Beyoncé said it was "difficult balancing the business and the creativity."

 

"Having to balance the two is really hard and really making sure that I'm still doing my job, which is to be the performer and the entertainer and not have to do everyone else's job so that mine doesn't suffer, that's been a challenge," she said.

 

She added: "I'm sleeping with my blackberry, I'm having dreams that I'm answering e-mails, like it's that far!"

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/21/...E76K7A920110721

From a Q&A with Clint Eastwood.

A Star is Born has been postponed. Where does that stand now?

That's delayed. Beyonce is in the process of incubating; she became pregnant, and until early next year she'll be on that project. But we are going to do it later, in the early summer.

With Beyoncé having given birth, it's back to work for the bodacious star. And first on the agenda is her aptly titled new movie A Star is Born.

 

Initially set for shooting last year, production on the Clint Eastwood directed clip was delayed to accomodate the singer's pregnancy. However, all systems are now go and filming is set to commence this Summer.

 

During a recent interview, 81 year old Eastwood lifted on Beyoncé's musical contributions to the movie, which tells the tale of promising starlet and the fall of the fading talent who discovers and helps her reach her goal.

 

Did you discuss music with Beyoncé, that we will see in your next film, a remake of A Star is Born?

She asked if she could write stuff for the movie, I said yes, great. But I also told her I would make one or two things very classical. Still classicism. But I don't want Beyoncé to be too classic! She has a superb voice. She could become a new Sarah Vaughan or the next Ella Fitzgerald. She has the same class. I dont know if she knows their music, but I intend to do a good education for the movie!

 

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Bey's past acting gigs may leave many feeling Eastwood's age is finally catching up with him. However, it'd be unfair to look over the brilliance that was her interpretation of Etta James in the critically acclaimed Cadillac Records. An interpretation which doesn't make his comments as far-fetched as they may seem.

 

Ella presented a compelling package, in that she was both musically gifted and a natural actress. And though the latter can't be said for Ms. Knowles, she's clearly been putting in overtime to ensure she comes close. A hustle which looks to be paying off.

 

As for the music, the prospect of a Jazz-ed up Beyoncé excites us immensely. I mean, her voice is that good, she could sing a cuss word and make it sound hot. However, the quality, texture, and tone of her vocal really stand to shine in an arena such as the Jazz-y one Eastwood talks of.

 

A Star is Born is slated for a 2013 release.