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by Brendan Bettinger Posted:August 11th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
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After a slight hiccup in securing the rights, producer/director Todd Phillips (The Hangover) is back on track with the development of a film based on the life of late comedian John Belushi. Alexandra Milchan and Bonnie Timmerman join Phillips as producers; Steven Conrad (Pursuit of Happyness) will pen the script.
The larger-than-life Belushi first garnered national attention on Saturday Night Live during its inaugural years from 1975-1979, then thrived on the big screen with iconic roles in such films as Animal House and The Blues Brothers. He passed away in 1982 at the age of 33. Hit the jump for further details on the project, as well as a look at the actors who could assume such a role.
Here’s the product description of the biography Belushi, assembled by widow Judy Belushi Pisano:
On the day he turned thirty, John starred in America’s number-one movie (Animal House), starred in the number-one late-night show (Saturday Night Live) and had recorded the number-one album (Briefcase Full of Blues). All from a guy who was never supposed to make it out from behind the cash register of his family’s Chicago diner. How did this Albanian immigrant’s son capture a nation’s imagination and come to embody all the glory and tragedy of the American dream? It was one high-price, high-speed, short-lived wild ride. [Amazon]
According to Risky Business, Pisano is credited as executive producer on the project.
When brainstorming making a list of heavyset actors with a penchant for the funny, the first name that comes to mind is Zach Galifianakis — Phillips has relied on the Greek comedian to anchor his last two directorial efforts: The Hangover and this November’s Due Date. Risky Business also suggested Jack Black, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Ethan Suplee, and Tyler Labine might be a good fit for the role, which is about as comprehensive a list I could ask for.
(Update: Commenter Joseclaros brought up current SNL castmember Bobby Moynihan. I like it. He’s got the look. He’s about the right age (32) and could play younger. His agent needs to start working the phones.)
Galifianakis is tops in my mind at the moment. But at age 40, he’s a bit old for the role if it centers around Belushi’s formative years, so I could be talked out of it. Please chime in below in the comments section, as long as you promise not to bring up Horatio Sanz.
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My top picks would be Black and GalifIanackis. Seth rogen is a huge no. His face just doesn't look right for the role.
Horatio Sanz…hands down! but actually I would go with jack black, if he could transform himself enough that it wasnt distracting. He has shown some acting range in films like king kong and margot at the wedding, and of course he has comedic chops as well.
Seth's voice alone has no similarities
Bobby Moynihan (also from SNL) should test for the role. He´s got the look and can probably hit all the comedic notes. He recently did some dramatic work playing a drug addict on NBC´s mercy. Plus, he´s a virtual unknown so it´s easier to see him as Belushi than someone like Black (terrible actor by the way)
Yes, I forgot about him. I think he would be great for the role. I think he's very funny on SNL. And he genially looks like Belushi. He is one of my two favorite featured played on the shoe. Abby Elliot being my second.
Spot on. Totally worthy of an update to the post.
Here Here for Bobby Moynihan.
ARTIE LANGE
I agree with Patrick. Artie Lange would be awesome. I just don't know how great of an actor he is. In Beer League, he was just playing himself.
I think this is role for an unfamiliar actor. This is a real chance for an unkown to make a name. It also would allow this person to study John and his comedic style…I am almost certain John's comedy genius would be brought out in the movie rather than a common comedian/actor using their own style. If you look at movies like Precious, Notorious, and The Blind Side. These were unknown actors that really captured their roles and the hearts of the audience.
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This movie will never get made. Same reason a Fatty Arbuckle movie never got made. Not to mention the fact that Todd Phillips has no knowledge of how to make an effective movie that doesn't have a endless supply of dick and gay jokes. John was truly tortured inside, and a dark figure that pop culture simply recalls as 'Bluto' and 'Jake Blues.'
This is a role for an unknown. I like Zach, but he doesn't have it. Jack Black MIGHT be able to pull it off, but it would have been a better vehicle for him when he was just starting off. I don't know this Bobby fellow from SNL, but this needs to be played by an actor who is a triple threat like Belushi was. John Belushi is a multi-layered complex individual who had a very dark side. That needs to be addressed, and there's no one on this list who can convey that to me in my opinion.
Having said that, Belushi is one of my heroes and I truly hope his story gets the loving treatment it deserves. Anything to wipe the taste of Wired out my mouth.
A fatty arbuckle movie didn't get made because it's star, Chris farley, died. I have hope in Todd phillips. If this is something he's been tring to get done because it's something he is passionate about then go right ahead. Say what you will, but why shouldn't a guy who made a movie about a hangover make a movie about a guy whose had his fare share.
What? So Farley was the only one who could tackle the role? Jerry Stahl's I, FATTY came out after Farley died and was a populist version of the Arbuckle story. There could have and still are ways to get that movie made.
The real movie i want to see is the story of National Lampoon's and comedy's unsung hero, Doug Kenney. He was the great and all powerful wizard of oz to belushi's cowardly lion or scarecrow . . . you get the point.
Dan Fogler. Though he is in talks to be Sam Kinnison.
Josh Peck
he's most known for being on Nickelodeons “Drake and Josh”. though that sounds like a turn off for most people, he really was funny and did an episode where he did a pretty good impression of John Belushi.
Also, he's performance in “Wackness” was highly under-rated, the role proves he can handle himself in a serious drama. He's young and talented and i think the best choice for a Belushi bio-pic