Audrey Hepburn's Son Says Late Mom 'Might Cringe' at Title Behind Lily Collins' New Biopic About “Breakfast at Tiffany”'s

Tommy McArdleWed, February 25, 2026 at 6:27 PM UTC

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From left: Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's;' and Sean Hepburn Ferrer on Sept. 21, 2017Credit: CBS via Getty; David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Gett -

Audrey Hepburn's oldest son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, offered his opinion on Lily Collins' new biopic depicting the making of his mother's movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's

Collins confirmed on Monday, Feb. 23 that she would portray the Oscar-winning actress in a movie based on the nonfiction book Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the Dawn of the Modern Woman

In 2022, multiple outlets reported that Rooney Mara had been cast as Hepburn in a separate movie about her life, which appears to remain in limbo

Audrey Hepburn's oldest son is sharing some opinions about Lily Collins' newly announced movie depicting the making of the late actress' iconic 1961 film, Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Sean Hepburn Ferrer, the oldest of Hepburn's two sons, spoke with The Daily Mail in an interview published Wednesday, Feb. 25 about the news that Collins, 36, will portray his mother in a movie based on author Sam Wasson's nonfiction book, Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the Dawn of the Modern Woman.

"I believe that my mother might cringe at [the phrase], 'dawn of the modern woman,' " he told the outlet, referring to the book's title. "But she cringed at any compliment." Ferrer added that he "love[s] her," when asked for his opinion on Collins' casting as his mother.

Collins confirmed via Instagram on Monday, Feb. 23 that she will portray Hepburn, the British actress and fashion icon who died at 63 in 1993, in a new movie that goes behind-the-scenes of the romantic comedy that movie fans best associate Hepburn with. "It's with almost 10 years of development and a life time of admiration and adoration for Audrey that I'm finally able [to] share this," she wrote in a caption to her post. "Honored and ecstatic don't begin to express how I feel..."

From left: Lily Collins on Dec. 15, 2025; and Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'Credit: Edward Berthelot/WireImage; Paramount Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Hepburn shared son Sean with her first husband, Mel Ferrer. They divorced in 1968. She shared younger son, Luca Dotti, with her second husband, Andrea Dotti, whom she married in 1969 and got divorced from in 1982.

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As The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline reported on Monday, screenwriter and producer Alena Smith (Apple TV's Dickinson series) is writing a screenplay for the movie, which is based on Wasson's book.

"Sam Wasson is a friend, and I am thrilled for him," Ferrer told The Daily Mail of the project. "I wasn't asked [to give input]. I'm happy to watch from the sidelines as long as they remain historically faithful. I am not sure how such a historical 'snap shot' might get translated into a film and therefore how relevant it might ultimately be."

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Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'Credit: Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

"Ten years in development seems a bit excessive but it was probably mostly due to Lily Collins’ schedule on Emily in Paris," Ferrer additionally noted.Ferrer also briefly spoke to the status of a previously announced biopic of his mother's life that would see Rooney Mara portray the Oscar-winning actress. That project, which was set to be directed by Luca Guadagnino (Challengers, After the Hunt) appears to remain in pre-production more than four years after it was initially reported on.

"I don't know Luca and cannot comment as to his vision," he told The Daily Mail. "I do know Rooney and hers is a genuine affection towards my mother. We talk regularly."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”