Michelle Williams is set to portray another icon of yesteryear. The Oscar-nominated “My Week with Marilyn” actress will topline a biopic of Peggy Lee. Titled “Fever,” the feature’s producers include Reese Witherspoon and Killer Films’ Pamela Koffler and Christine Vachon.
Lee is perhaps best known for her 1958 recording of “Fever.” Born in 1920, she recorded her first number one hit, “Somebody Else Is Taking My Place,” when she was 22. She received an Oscar nomination for her role in 1955’s “Pete Kelly’s Blues.” “The Jazz Singer” and “Lady and the Tramp” are among her other film credits. Lee was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. She died in 2002.
Todd Haynes is directing “Fever.” Reese Witherspoon was previously attached to star in the project.
Williams and Haynes previously teamed up for “I’m Not There,” an unconventional Bob Dylan biopic that saw Williams playing a character inspired by Edie Sedgwick.
Williams scored an Oscar nod for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in “My Week with Marilyn.” She’s also received noms for “Manchester by the Sea,” “Blue Valentine,” and “Brokeback Mountain.” “After the Wedding,” “Venom,” and “I Feel Pretty” are among her more recent film credits. She won an Emmy for her leading role as Gwen Verdon in FX’s “Fosse/Verdon.”
Just last week it was announced that Williams will be reuniting with frequent collaborator Kelly Reichardt on “Showing Up,” a comedic portrait of an artist preparing for a career-changing exhibition.
