Music Biopics: On A Roll

Hollywood and music fans love biopics of recording stars - living or dead.  Many of these musical artists have led interesting and sometimes violent lives (many shortened by drug, alcohol, or other excesses). Music biopics can be very lucrative, as they carry with them: music downloads, strong DVD and pay-per-view sales, and concert tours for the artists.  To those living it is a shot in the arm financially.






It seems Hollywood is currently on a musical stars biopic spree.  Starting with the Hank Williams based, 'I Saw The Light' which will star Tom Hiddleston.  Although British and not a great voice, Hiddleston does bear a striking resemblance to the C/W legend.  Williams died in 1953 at the age of 29, but made a great mark on the country music scene.






Freddie Mercury - a movie about the life of  Queen's vocal lead and frontman has been in development since 2010.  Originally, Sacha Baron Cohen (aka Borak) was to play Mercury but there was a dispute with the surviving members of the band regarding Cohen portraying Mercury.  Ben Whishaw, has now replaced Cohen and a director is being decided. Heavy money and clout is behind the film, including Robert DeNiro who is one of its producers.






Brian Wilson - a movie was always in the future for this most famous of the Beach Boys. A release date for a film on Wilson's life, 'Love & Mercy' (named after a single from his 1988 solo album) stars Paul Dano playing a young and John Cusack an elder Wilson in the film.  Looks to be a good but not great depiction of Wilson.






Frank Sinatra - who can play the Chairman?  The rights to the biopic on the life of the legendary Sinatra are owned by Martin Scorsese who purchased them in 2009.  But the movie has yet to see any daylight.  Problem is, getting an A-lister to sign up to play the legend.  Reportedly Scorsese has been wooing Clooney, DiCaprio, Depp, and Pacino or several of them to play various stages in Frank's life.  The project is still very much a go and if directed and played right with a great script will no doubt be a box office smash.






Miles Davis- the great jazz (perhaps the greatest jazz trumpet player ever - at least in my book) artist. Davis's biopic has been a passion of Don Cheadle - who is directing, starring, co-writing, and producing - the film, titled 'Miles Ahead'. The movie began production in July, and co-stars Ewan McGregor, as a music journalist.  Cheadle is a much liked figure in Hollywood and everyone is rooting for his success with this project, including the Davis family which has given permission to use Davis's actual music.  The soundtrack should be particularly good. Hope there is a rendition of 'YesterNow'.






Janis Joplin - the great '60s blues singer who could belt-out a ballad better than anyone then or now. A bio on the short-live Joplin has been on the drawing boards for more than 10 years.  Pink, Zooey Deschanel, Renee Zellweger have all been whispered as possibilities.  Currently, it is Amy Adams who is the front runner to play Joplin, who died in 1970 after a heroin overdose.  The title of the film, for the moment, is 'Get It While You Can' and it would be a great (be it demanding) role for Adams.






Kurt Cobain - the moving force behind Nirvana, who committed suicide in 1994 a biopic has been in the works for awhile.  A documentary, 'Kurt and Courtney' , based on the life of Cobain and Courtney Love was released on 1998.  However, the problem in doing a bio on Cobain is Love.  Anyone trying to do a film must deal with Love.  It appears that the film will be shot in England but little progress has been made - we'll just have to wait and see.






As stated, a music biopic can be a great, if not, greatest role for any actor - Joaquin Phoenix in 'Walking Tall', Jeff Bridges in 'Crazy Heart', Sissy Spacek in 'Coal Miner's Daughter'.  Current musical biopics include a pic on soul man, James Brown, 'Get On Up' and a bio on the great rock guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, 'Jimi: All Is By My Side'.






Best
Jim