Fare thee well, Amanda Seyfried's Joni Mitchell biopic
Amanda Seyfried’s long-prepared role as Joni Mitchell in a biopic has been shelved, ending months of rigorous musical preparation. Seyfried learned to play the entirety of Mitchell’s *Blue* album across guitar, dulcimer, and piano, even performing Mitchell’s songs publicly. The project’s cancellation follows a shift in casting, with Meryl Streep and Anya Taylor-Joy now attached to a separate Mitchell biopic. Seyfried’s emotional connection to the role—including a reported steak dinner with Mitchell—was widely documented before the project was axed.
What changed
New details confirm Seyfried’s role was scrapped after she mastered *Blue* and other Mitchell material, with no public explanation for the cancellation.
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Amanda Seyfried’s Joni Mitchell biopic scrapped after months of intense prep
confidence 97%Amanda Seyfried’s long-prepared role as Joni Mitchell in a biopic has been shelved, ending months of rigorous musical preparation. Seyfried learned to play the entirety of Mitchell’s *Blue* album across guitar, dulcimer, and piano, even performing Mitchell’s songs publicly. The project’s cancellation follows a shift in casting, with Meryl Streep and Anya Taylor-Joy now attached to a separate Mitchell biopic. Seyfried’s emotional connection to the role—including a reported steak dinner with Mitchell—was widely documented before the project was axed.
What's confirmed:
- Amanda Seyfried learned to play every song on Joni Mitchell’s *Blue* album on guitar, dulcimer, and piano while preparing for a shelved biopic.
- Seyfried’s viral dulcimer performance of Mitchell’s songs—including ‘California’—stemmed from her biopic preparation.
- She reportedly wept after mastering the album, underscoring her deep commitment to the role.
- A separate biopic about Joni Mitchell is now in development, starring Meryl Streep and Anya Taylor-Joy and directed by Cameron Crowe.
- Seyfried had a private meeting with Mitchell, including a steak dinner, as part of her research for the abandoned project.
Still unconfirmed:
- The shelved biopic was canceled due to creative differences or budget constraints, though no official reason has been given.
- Seyfried’s preparation included learning additional Mitchell songs beyond *Blue*, though specifics remain unconfirmed.
- The project’s producers may have reconsidered the scope after Seyfried’s public performances drew attention to the shelved film.