Beyonce and Jay-Z to star together?

The two pop artists are in talks over the lead roles in the fourth remake of A Star Is Born.

The old phrase might say three times lucky, but if you're a studio stuck for ideas, why not give it a fourth go as well. That's what seems to be happening with A Star Is Born, which is reportedly set for a re-re-remake, due out next year.

First released in 1937, then redone in 1954, and again in 1976, the story is a timeless classic: an aspiring actress moves to Hollywood, hooks up with an ageing star, her career blooms, his plummets, he turns towards alcoholism, checks into a sanatorium and drowns himself in the Pacific Ocean. The end. Each version differs slightly, but generally follows that cheery trajectory. Perhaps the 2012 update can have the girl winning America's Got Talent while the guy tops himself during the filming of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

And what of the cast? The first had Janet Gaynor in the main role, the 1954 edit featured Judy Garland making eyes at James Mason, while the 1976 one had Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

The one thing we know so far is that Beyoncé is in talks for the lead. Interestingly, her husband Jay-Z is rumoured to be up for the part of the doomed Svengali figure. While this could help recreate the 1976 version (Streisand and Kristofferson hit the number one with their soundtrack), we just can't see Jay-Z's ego allowing it. Other names on the rumour mill include Will Smith, Eddie Murphy and Jon Hamm. Murphy seems the obvious choice (and not because of his acting credentials).

And of course, it's being directed by Clint Eastwood, a director old enough to have seen all the previous efforts when they first came out.