A few months ago, I had a little meltdown over the long-gestating Jeff Buckley bio-pic project. People in Hollywood have been talking about the Buckley bio-pic for so many years, and nothing ever really came together. I hoped it would stay that way. But, some people got their act together, managed to get a decent script and a director, so all that was left was the oh-so-crucial casting of Buckley, the young, soulful singer who tragically died at the age of 30. The leading contenders back in April were James Franco and Robert Pattinson, with other names like Joseph Gordon Levitt and Jared Leto thrown around too. Now Hollywood Life has a “report” based on a know-it-all source who claims that the part of Jeff Buckley has gone to… Penn Badgley?!? NOOOOOO….

‘Gossip Girl’ star Penn Badgley beats out Robert Pattinson and James Franco for the lead role in the much-desired Jeff Buckley biopic movie! A source tells all to HollywoodLife.com

Poor Robert Pattinson! The actor was working hard to score the role of Jeff Buckley, the famous musician who died young at age 30, in a biopic movie about his life. Gossip Girl star Penn Badgley snagged the part instead, a source exclusively tells HollywoodLife.com.

“Robert Pattinson is devastated he’s lost out on the one role he really wanted,” says our insider. “It was down to Rob, James Franco and Penn for the part, and Rob was really pushing himself to get it.”

Our source continues, “Rob hasn’t heard ‘no’ a lot lately, so he’s really bummed. He was passionate about this project.”

Things were looking good for Rob, who was reportedly “obsessed” with landing the lead. Jeff Buckley’s mother and executive producer of the movie Mary Guibert, 62, even weighed in, saying “Robert is a fine young actor. I’m flattered he’s been linked to this project. When the time comes we’ll give everybody an opportunity to be seen and heard.”

Producer Michelle Sy confirmed Rob was “keen” on the part as well, and also revealed they are looking for someone who can “play music and sing”.

Although Rob is disappointed he didn’t get the role, Penn is over the moon. “Penn is thrilled to get this role and thinks it’s the film of a lifetime,” our insider confesses. “He’s been trying to push out of the ‘Gossip Girl’ image and knows this film will be the perfect opportunity to do so.” Congrats Penn!

Jake Scott is set to direct and Ryan Jaffe is writing the script for the highly anticipated movie.

[From Hollywood Life]

Maybe this is just my denial talking, but this sounds more like a plant from Penn Badgley’s publicist, and Hollywood Life is just giving it a Sparkles-centric spin to make it more interesting. Unless Sparkles was asking for a truck-full of cash and a shovel-full of cocaine, I just don’t see how any producer or any studio would choose Penn Badgley over Robert Pattinson. What in the world does Penn Badgley have? He used to “date” Blake Lively (during which time she was boning other dudes). That’s about it. If this report is true, my mind if officially blown.

By the way, the last time I discussed this, I suggested Michael Fassbender for the Buckley role. That still holds, bitches. I will accept Fassbender, or James McAvoy. If they aren’t available, Sparkles really is the only other option.

Photos courtesy of WENN.