Dolly Parton’s extraordinary journey from a poor childhood in the Tennessee mountains to one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world could eventually be headed to the big screen.
Following the country legend’s death at age 80 on Aug. 25, talk is reportedly growing about a major Hollywood movie chronicling Parton’s adult life, remarkable rise to fame and enormous business empire.
And one familiar country superstar is already being floated as a potential choice to play her.
Carrie Underwood has emerged as a possible favorite for the coveted role, according to an entertainment insider who claims Parton’s family has an opportunity to turn her remarkable life story into a major theatrical production.
No studio, producer or member of Parton’s family has publicly announced a feature biopic, and no casting decision has been confirmed.
Still, the idea comes at a time when interest in Parton’s life and music has surged following her death.
“The truly global reaction to Dolly’s passing proves one thing: A properly mounted biopic of her life featuring her most famous music would be a massive success,” the insider told RadarOnline.
Rather than revisiting only Parton’s childhood, the source suggested a theatrical movie could concentrate on the decades in which she transformed herself from an aspiring Tennessee singer into a country music powerhouse, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Parton was born in 1946 in rural Sevier County, Tennessee, as one of 12 children.
Her rise was anything but ordinary.
After moving to Nashville following high school, Parton eventually found national recognition alongside Porter Wagoner before establishing herself as a solo superstar with songs including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Her success ultimately extended far beyond country music.
Parton made an unlikely transition into Hollywood with the 1980 comedy “9 to 5,” starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. She later appeared in films including “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Straight Talk.”
At the same time, she quietly became a formidable businesswoman.
Her investments included Dollywood, the hugely successful Tennessee theme park that became one of the biggest tourist attractions in the region, as well as numerous entertainment ventures and her celebrated Imagination Library literacy program.
That unusually broad career could give filmmakers plenty of material.
Parton already helped tell portions of her early life on television.
The 2015 NBC movie “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” dramatized her childhood growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains, with Alyvia Alyn Lind portraying young Dolly.
It was followed in 2016 by “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.”
Parton also produced the 2019 Netflix anthology “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings,” which transformed several of her songs into individual stories.
A feature film focusing on her adulthood, however, could cover territory those productions largely left untouched.
According to the insider, Underwood’s name has repeatedly surfaced because of the similarities between the two country stars’ public images, musical backgrounds and stage presence.
“Carrie Underwood is one name that keeps coming up because of her similar personality and stage presence to Dolly,” the source claimed.
Underwood, 43, had a personal relationship with Parton and has frequently spoken about the enormous influence the country icon had on her career.
Following Parton’s death, Underwood delivered an emotional tribute and described Dolly as one of the kindest people she had ever encountered.
Underwood will also be among the performers honoring Parton during “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” a two-hour live tribute airing Oct. 21 on ABC and Disney+.
The star-studded lineup also includes Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, Vince Gill, Little Big Town and numerous other performers.
But Underwood is far from the only celebrity whose name has been floated for a potential movie.
The insider also suggested Sabrina Carpenter, Sydney Sweeney and Hilary Duff as possible contenders.
There is currently no indication that any of those women have been approached for the project, making the casting discussion speculative at this stage.
Whoever eventually receives the role would face the difficult task of recreating not only Parton’s famous look and unmistakable voice, but also decades of her life.
The source claimed Parton’s surviving relatives would likely have significant input into any authorized project involving her story and music.
Before casting could seriously begin, however, producers would need to secure the project, develop a screenplay and determine which periods of Parton’s sprawling career would make it onto the screen.
The insider suggested veteran Hollywood producer Graham King could be a natural candidate to oversee such an undertaking.
King was one of the producers behind the hugely successful Freddie Mercury and Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” and has continued working extensively in the music-biopic genre.
But there has been no announcement that King is attached to a Dolly Parton movie.
Any future production would also arrive as Parton’s story is already receiving another major stage treatment.
“Dolly: A True Original Musical,” a Broadway production developed with Parton’s direct involvement before her death, is scheduled to begin previews Dec. 7 before officially opening Jan. 19, 2027 — the date that would have marked Parton’s 81st birthday.
Parton personally helped select the actresses who will portray her at different stages of her life.
That project provides something a speculative Hollywood film currently does not: Parton’s own direct creative involvement and approval.
For a movie, her family and representatives would instead be faced with deciding how to portray a woman whose public life stretched across nearly seven decades.
A successful film could explore not just the rhinestones, towering blond hair and hit records that made Parton instantly recognizable, but the ambitious business instincts and personal determination behind them.
Her story includes humble beginnings, repeated warnings from industry executives about her appearance and career choices, a long marriage largely kept away from Hollywood, blockbuster songwriting success, movie stardom and the creation of a business and charitable empire.
That makes Parton an unusually rich subject for the music-biopic treatment.
For now, however, fans shouldn’t expect to see Underwood slipping into Dolly’s rhinestones just yet.
The idea of a big-screen Parton biography appears to be in the discussion stage, with no official movie, studio or lead actress announced.
But with celebrations of Parton’s legacy already stretching from Nashville to Broadway, it may be only a matter of time before Hollywood comes calling.
Any actress attempting to portray Dolly will be open to so much ridicule, as it’s certain that somebody will get their nose out of joint. Given Dolly’s legacy she leaves very large shoes (amongst other things) to fill.
Dolly, WE will always love you. R.I.P. gracious lady, and thank you for everything.