More Movies About Music Stars Coming
TheShowbuzz.com's Judy Faber researched and wrote this story.
Whether they're watching Jennifer Lopez's breakout role as Selena, Sissy Spacek's unforgettable portrayal of Loretta Lynn, or the Oscar-winning performance of Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles, audiences love to see film biographies about musicians. Following up on the critical and commercial success of "Ray" and "Walk The Line," film and television executives are ready to roll out a new group of biopics in the next few years.
But the process isn't always an easy one. Many producers have to struggle with securing the proper rights to use the artist's image and music in the film. Sometimes, as in the case of Michael Hutchence and Jimi Hendrix, the filmmakers find themselves in the middle of battles between family members over the artist's estate.
But, filmmakers know that audiences love a good music biopic, and actors know that playing the role of a music icon can be an instant ticket to Oscar-ville. Jamie Foxx as "Ray" and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter in "Walk The Line" each took home Academy Awards, and both films were critical and commercial success.
Here are some of the artists whose life stories may be on the big screen soon. Due to the fickle nature of Hollywood movie-making, all information is subject to change.
Fantasia Barrino: "American Idol" Season 3 winner Fantasia stars as herself in "Life Is Not A Fairy Tale: The Fantasia Barrino Story," based on her best-selling autobiography. The film is directed by choreographer, director and actress Debbie Allen and is scheduled to premiere on the Lifetime network on Aug. 19 at 9 p.m.
Missy Elliot: Like Fantasia, rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott also will star as herself in the big-screen version of her life story, Universal Pictures announced in June. The as-yet-untitled film will be produced by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal through their company, Tribeca Films.
Hector Lavoe: Salsa superstar Marc Anthony will star as beloved salsa legend Hector Lavoe in the upcoming film "El Cantante," to be produced by wife Jennifer Lopez's Nuyorican Productions. Playing the extremely talented but troubled singer may be the performance that puts Anthony on the map as a leading man. Lopez will play his wife in the movie, which is expected in November or December.
Michael Hutchence: A biopic about the late lead singer of INXS has been in the works for some time, but went into high gear after producer Clark Westerman saw the reality show "Rock Star: INXS" — and was disappointed. Westerman tapped Nick Egan, a British music video director and friend of Hutchence, to direct the movie.
"I said, 'Somebody else is going to do it, and they are not going to do it as well as you would because you knew him so well,'" Westerman told The Hollywood Reporter.
Hutchence died in November 1997 at the age of 37. He was found in a Sydney hotel room, dead from suicide or accidental death from autoerotic asphyxiation.
Dusty Springfield: The film is being produced by Universal Pictures, but no actress has been formally announced in what should be a juicy role. Springfield was a 1960s pop singer known for hits "I Only Want To Be With You" and "Son of a Preacher Man.'"
Problems with substance abuse, her notorious perfectionism, questions about her sexual orientation and her battle with breast cancer could make for an Oscar-worthy part for the right actress with the right script. Rumors that Ang Lee was scheduled to direct the film are untrue.
Bob Marley: Although there has been talk about an upcoming film about the legendary reggae icon, a spokesperson for his foundation said there is no such project at this time. Jamie Foxx was supposedly starring in the film, but the actor has denied those reports.
Bob Dylan: Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, Christian Bale, Julianne Moore and Richard Gere all are scheduled to play Dylan in the film "I'm Not There," tentatively scheduled for release next year. Each actor will portray a different aspect of Dylan's personality. The movie will be directed by Todd Haynes, who helmed 2002 movie "Far from Heaven" and 1998's "Velvet Goldmine," about rock icon David Bowie.
Kurt Cobain: "About A Son" is a documentary about the late lead singer of grunge pioneers Nirvana. Director A.J. Schnack told British music Web site NME.com that the documentary uses 25 hours of interview tapes recorded by journalist Michael Azerrad between December 1992 and March 1993. The film will be screened at the Toronto Film Festival in September.
Rick James: In July, a company called Hidden Door Documedia announced it is producing "I'm Rick James," a documentary about the hard-partying funkster known for his hits "Superfreak" and "You and I." The film chronicles James' life from his early years to his death at the age of 56 in 2004. Co-produced by James' daughter Ty James, "I'm Rick James" is scheduled for release in October, 2006.
Jimi Hendrix: There have been several attempts to get a biopic about Hendrix's life off the ground, but it's been rough going because of his family's battle over the rights to his music and image. Hendrix's estate went to his father, Al, after his death at age 27. When Al died, he left the bulk of the estate to his stepdaughter, Janie Hendrix — effectively cutting Jimi's brother Leon out of the will. Leon has sued to get his share of the estate, but in July an appeals court in Seattle upheld a 2004 decision that Leon had failed to prove Janie had unfairly influenced her father to cut Leon out of the will.
Producer Elle Von Lear told TheShowbuzz.com that she has secured the rights and financing she needs to make a biopic about the guitarist and plans to have the movie out in 18 months. "This is the most complicated legal situation I have ever seen in my life," said Von Lear, commenting on the family's legal battles. ... The film will document Hendrix' life, as well as the fight over his estate after his death."
Rumors that Lenny Kravitz had signed on to play Hendrix and Quentin Tarantino had signed on to direct are untrue.
Janis Joplin: There have been several different projects about the pioneering blues-rock singer whose life was cut short when she died at age 27 in 1970. Penelope Spheeris, who is best known for directing the 1992 comedy "Wayne's World," has been trying to get a Janis Joplin project off the ground for years. "I spend every living, breathing moment with it," she told TheShowbuzz.com. "Fifteen years trying to do a movie about Janis, three years with the last group of producers. Now it seems that we will be shooting in the fall."
Several women have been rumored to be in talks to play Janis on screen including Pink, Rene Zellwegger and Joss Stone. Spheeris confirmed to TheShowbuzz.com that none of the three are slated to star in her film. Spheeris hopes the movie will allow the audience to see the private side of Joplin, which was often overshadowed by her larger-than-life public image. "She had a beautiful sense of humor, and also she was incredibly intelligent," said Spheeris. "I'm gonna be making a movie about a woman who is a hero and a role model for all of us. Hopefully (it will be) a very inspiring story."
By Judy Faber