In a surprising and exciting turn for both film and music lovers, Bob Dylan has been confirmed to have recorded a cover of the classic Cole Porter song "Don’t Fence Me In" for the upcoming Ronald Reagan biopic, Reagan. The film, which has been in development since 2020, is finally set to hit theaters in late August in the US, with Dennis Quaid starring as the 40th President of the United States.
Speaking to Spin, Quaid revealed the details of Dylan’s involvement in the project. “I was honored to have Bob join our film,” Quaid said. “We gave him the freedom to do any song he wanted to do, whether an original or a cover, and he chose "Don’t Fence Me In." That was extra special since it was a song that Gene [Autry] made famous.”
Dylan’s choice is particularly poignant given that Quaid is a third-cousin to Gene Autry, the cowboy singer who helped popularize the song in the 1940s. Quaid added, “Bob is a great lover of the American Songbook and we were delighted with the way he delivered the song. He’s a national treasure and was the perfect addition to the film.”
But Dylan isn’t the only musical icon contributing to the Reagan soundtrack. The legendary Gene Simmons of KISS has recorded a cover of "Stormy Weather," country music star Clint Black takes on John Denver’s "Country Road" (which will close the film), and Tanya Tucker has reportedly recorded a song for the film as well, though details on her contribution are still under wraps.
Alongside Quaid, the film will also feature Scott Stapp, the frontman of Creed, who was cast to play Frank Sinatra back in 2020. Originally slated for a 2021 release, Reagan has faced delays but is now set to captivate audiences with its blend of political drama and musical legends.
Meanwhile, Bob Dylan himself is the subject of another major film project. His own biopic, A Complete Unknown, is set to release in the US on Christmas Day and will hit UK cinemas in January. Starring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, the film explores the musician’s transition to electric guitar in the ’60s and his meteoric rise to fame in the folk-rock scene.
Photo: Ultimate Classic Rock, Kevin Mazur/GC Images
