Warner Bros. has optioned the biography Buzz: The Life and Art of Busby Berkeley, written by Jeffrey SpivakTHR reports Ryan Gosling and Marc Platt (Drive) will produce.  They are developing the project as a starring vehicle for Gosling to play the iconic musical director/choreographer.  Gosling may even direct the biopic---triple threat!  However, the project is still in the early stages, so the search is on for a writer.  Gosling recently wrapped production on his directorial debut, How to Catch a Monster, which Platt produced.

Hit the jump for more on Berkeley's biography and a sampling of his elaborate musical production numbers.

Here's the synopsis for Buzz:

buzz life and art of busby berkeley book cover

Characterized by grandiose song-and-dance numbers featuring ornate geometric patterns and mimicked in many modern films, Busby Berkeley's unique artistry is as recognizable and striking as ever. From his years on Broadway to the director's chair, Berkeley is notorious for his inventiveness and signature style. Through sensational films like 42nd Street (1933), Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933), Footlight Parade (1933), and Dames (1934), Berkeley sought to distract audiences from the troubles of the Great Depression. Although his bold technique is familiar to millions of moviegoers, Berkeley's life remains a mystery.

Buzz: The Life and Art of Busby Berkeley is a telling portrait of the filmmaker who revolutionized the musical and changed the world of choreography. Berkeley pioneered many conventions still in use today, including the famous "parade of faces" technique, which lends an identity to each anonymous performer in a close-up. Carefully arranging dancers in complex and beautiful formations, Berkeley captured perspectives never seen before. [Amazon]

Here are a few notable examples from Berkeley's filmography:

busby berkeley gold diggers of 1933