Sean Hepburn Ferrer, the son of Audrey Hepburn, has given his approval for actress Lily Collins to portray his late mother in an upcoming biographical film.
Ferrer revealed that he has held several discussions with Collins regarding her approach to playing the Hollywood icon. Speaking to People magazine, he said he advised her to make the role her own and shared suggestions that made her laugh.
Collins was cast last February to star in the screen adaptation of Sam Wasson's best-selling book, Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's and the Dawn of the Modern Woman. The film will explore the behind-the-scenes creation of the 1961 romantic comedy Breakfast at Tiffany's, a project that cemented Hepburn's status as a symbol of cinematic elegance.
Ferrer is the eldest son of Hepburn and her first husband, actor Mel Ferrer. Hepburn, who died of cancer in 1993 at age 63, established herself as one of Hollywood's most enduring figures over seven decades ago. She starred in classic films including Roman Holiday in 1953, Sabrina in 1954, Funny Face in 1957, Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1961, and My Fair Lady in 1964.
Lily Collins and previous biopic candidates
Ferrer noted that other prominent actresses had previously been linked to potential Audrey Hepburn biopics over the years. He mentioned knowing Natalie Portman since she was 14 years old, describing her as a fantastic person, and expressed fondness for Rooney Mara, whom he called a wonderful girl.
Mara had previously been attached to a separate biographical project about Hepburn that was slated to be directed by Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino. However, Ferrer emphasized that Collins possessed a unique quality that made her particularly suited for the role.
Hepburn's younger son, Luca Dotti, born during her marriage to Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti, also shared his perspective on the upcoming projects. Dotti described himself as a curious observer who was eager to see how filmmakers would bring his mother's life to the screen.
Dotti explained that Collins had long been viewed as a natural candidate to play his mother. He attributed the comparison to her physical resemblance and talent, as well as her starring role in the comedy series Emily in Paris and her prominent connection to the fashion world.
Thomasin McKenzie and the Givenchy film
In addition to the Collins film, a second project titled Dinner with Audrey will star New Zealand actress Thomasin McKenzie as Hepburn. The project was presented to film distributors at the Cannes Film Festival last May.
Dinner with Audrey focuses on the long friendship between Hepburn and French fashion designer Count Hubert de Givenchy. Actor Ansel Elgort has been cast to play Givenchy, the designer responsible for creating Hepburn's signature wardrobe on and off screen.
Ferrer admitted that he did not know many details about the McKenzie production. Nevertheless, he expressed a positive outlook on the project, calling it a sweet concept and describing McKenzie as a serious young actress while keeping his fingers crossed for its success.
Audrey Hepburn legacy and UNICEF work
Beyond her silver screen success, Hepburn devoted her later years to humanitarian endeavors. She served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, traveling extensively to advocate for children and families living in extreme poverty across the globe.
More than three decades after her death, public interest in Hepburn's life, career, and style remains strong. As two distinct feature films prepare to capture her legacy, Collins and McKenzie face the challenge of portraying an actress who remains a benchmark for cinema and fashion.
