Lily Collins has officially been cast to portray Audrey Hepburn in a forthcoming film centred on the making of the 1961 classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
The Emily in Paris actor confirmed the news on Instagram, revealing that the project has been in development for nearly a decade.
“It’s with almost 10 years of development and a lifetime of admiration and adoration for Audrey that I’m finally able to share this,” Collins wrote. “Honored and ecstatic don’t begin to express how I feel…”
The film will explore the behind-the-scenes story of the romantic comedy that helped cement Hepburn’s place as one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons.
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A story about a cultural landmark
Rather than a remake of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the project will focus on the drama, cultural shifts and creative tensions surrounding the making of the film.
It is based on Sam Wasson’s non-fiction book Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the Dawn of the Modern Woman. The screenplay will be written by Alena Smith, creator of the Apple TV series Dickinson.
Collins’ production company, Case Study Films, is developing the project alongside Imagine Entertainment. A director has not yet been announced.
The book — and now the film — examines how Breakfast at Tiffany’s reshaped perceptions of femininity, independence and glamour in early 1960s cinema.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 8: Cecil Beaton’s ‘Audrey Hepburn in costume for My Fair Lady’ is displayed at the National Portrait Gallery on October 8, 2025 in London, England. The new exhibition showcases photographer Cecil Beaton’s contributions to fashion photography in the twentieth century, and is on show at the National Portrait Galley from 9 October 11 January. (Photo by Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)
The legacy of Holly Golightly
Released in 1961, Breakfast at Tiffany’s was adapted from Truman Capote’s 1958 novella. Set in New York, the story follows socialite Holly Golightly and her evolving relationship with a struggling writer.
The film diverged significantly from Capote’s original text, including altering the narrator’s character and softening aspects of Golightly’s backstory. Capote had initially wanted Marilyn Monroe in the lead role and later expressed disappointment at Hepburn’s casting.
Despite early controversy, the film became both a commercial and a critical success. It earned two Academy Awards — Best Original Score and Best Original Song for “Moon River,” performed by Hepburn — and grossed approximately $14 million globally, a significant figure at the time.
Hepburn’s portrayal of Golightly, complete with the black Givenchy dress and pearl necklace, remains one of the most recognisable images in cinematic history.
A demanding role
Portraying Audrey Hepburn presents a significant challenge for any actor. Beyond her film career, Hepburn was known for her humanitarian work and lasting influence on fashion and culture.
Collins, who has often drawn comparisons to Hepburn for her classic aesthetic, now steps into a role that requires not only physical resemblance but emotional nuance. The film is expected to explore both Hepburn’s professional triumphs and the tensions that marked the production of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, including reported on-set incidents and creative disagreements.
Other historical figures associated with the project, including Capote and director Blake Edwards, are expected to feature in the film. Casting for those roles has yet to be confirmed.
While details remain limited, the announcement marks the first major production to offer a comprehensive account of the making of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
For Collins, the role represents both a professional milestone and a deeply personal project — nearly a decade in the making.
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Featured Image: Instagram | @lilycollins | Getty
