Natalie Portman Reported Frontrunner to Play Sinéad O’Connor in Biopic

Natalie Portman is reportedly the leading choice to portray the late Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor in an upcoming biopic produced by a collaboration of Irish production companies, including ie: entertainment. The film aims to explore O’Connor’s impactful yet turbulent life and is expected to draw inspiration from her 2021 autobiography, Rememberings. Portman is praised for her striking physical resemblance to O’Connor and her acting capabilities, with some recalling her head-shaving transformation in V for Vendetta as a sign of her dedication. However, fans have expressed concern over her ability to convincingly perform an Irish accent, and some have questioned why Irish actresses like Saoirse Ronan or Niamh Algar, who were also considered for the role, are not being prioritized. The project is directed by Josephine Decker and written by Irish writer Stacey Gregg, with the biopic envisioned to potentially use a 'triptych approach' featuring multiple actresses to depict different stages of O’Connor’s life. Sinéad O’Connor passed away in 2023, shortly after her son’s death, and was reportedly involved in early discussions about the biopic before her passing.