Renee Zellweger to play Judy Garland in 'Judy'

Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger has signed on to play iconic entertainer Judy Garland in Pathé and Calamity Films' movie Judy.

Director Rupert Goold is scheduled to begin principal photography in February on the film, which will focus on Garland as she performed her final 1968 concerts in London. The movie was written by Tom Edge.

"It is 30 years since she shot to global stardom in The Wizard of Oz, but if her voice has weakened, its dramatic intensity has only grown," a press release said. "As she prepares for the show, battles with management, charms musicians, and reminisces with friends and adoring fans, her wit and warmth shine through. Even her dreams of romance seem undimmed as she embarks on a courtship with Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband. And yet Judy is fragile. After working for 45 of her 47 years, she is exhausted; haunted by memories of a childhood lost to Hollywood; gripped by a desire to be back home with her kids. Will she have the strength to go on?"

Deans found Garland dead of a drug overdose at their rented home in London in 1969. She is survived by her children Liza Minnelli, and Joey and Lorna Luft.

Zellweger, 48, is known for her work in Jerry Maguire, Chicago, Cold Mountain and the Bridget Jones's Diary trilogy. She can now be seen in Same Kind of Different as Me.