Michael Stipe Suggests Billie Eilish for Young Version of Him in R.E.M. Biopic

Michael Stipe has a casting idea for a hypothetical R.E.M. biopic, and it involves Billie Eilish. During an appearance on The Late Show Thursday night, Stipe was chatting with Stephen Colbert when the host suggested David Cross for the bearded, older version of the singer. Stipe then offered up Eilish for the younger version. Colbert agreed, noting they have similar blue eyes.

When asked if they’d met, Stipe said Eilish once held a door for him at a Manhattan restaurant. He added she was incredibly polite and sweet, but that he didn’t realize who she was until she was already down the street. The exchange was casual and light, the kind of banter between old friends. No actual biopic plans were announced. But the idea of Eilish playing a young Stipe is strange enough to stick in your head. It’s not a serious casting call, just a moment of offhand imagination from a frontman who knows how to keep people guessing.