Lady Gaga not starring in Dionne Warwick biopic, despite reports

Update: Despite the official press release claiming that Lady Gaga had been cast to play Cilla Black in Dionne, the singer will not be appearing in the project, her rep told Variety. "Lady Gaga is not attached and will not appear in the project," her publicist said. “Reports of Gaga starring in the project are false."

Earlier: Lady Gaga is set to play Cilla Black in a film based on the life of soul singer Dionne Warwick. The biopic, titled Dionne, was announced by the real Warwick at the Cannes Film Festival and will cover an early period of the singer's career in the 60s.

Cilla, who died last year aged 72, was one of Warwick's singer's biggest rivals after her cover of "Anyone Who Had a Heart" eclipsed Dionne's original recording back in 1964 and wen't on to become one of the best-selling singles of all time in the UK. When asked on Friday why she regarded Black as her nemesis, Warwick told reporters in Cannes it was "because she stole my music."

When asked why Lady Gaga was cast to play her, Warwick said, "Why not? It was just an easy choice and she wanted to do it."

Warwick herself will be portrayed by former Destiny's Child member Letoya Luckett. Dionne production is due to begin in late 2016.