LOS ANGELES  - Clint Eastwood will direct the long-gestating third remake of "A Star Is Born," a project that has been developed as a starring vehicle for Beyonce.

Warner Bros. has for some time been trying to find a male lead to fill the shoes of Fredric March (1937), James Mason (1954) and Kris Kristofferson (1976). Beyonce would follow in the footsteps of Janet Gaynor, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, respectively.

The latest update has seen Joel Schumacher and Nick Cassavetes among those hopping on and off the director's chair, while Will Smith and Russell Crowe have orbited leading roles.

The allure of the dramatic story of a young artist who marries a fading star, with her career flourishing while his fades cannot be denied. Will Fetters wrote the current draft, which retains the musical angle of the 1976 film, in which a young singer finds romance with an older rock star.

Eastwood is in pre-production on "J. Edgar," a biopic on F.B.I. director J. Edgar Hoover. The production is amassing its cast and so far includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Josh Lucas and Judi Dench. It is due to start shooting this spring.