Showtime is reteaming up with the producers of the Peabody Award-winning and BAFTA-nominated Marlon Brando documentary Listen to Me Marlon for a feature-length project exploring the life and legend of the late comedian, John BelushiThe as-of-yet untitled documentary will be shepherded by filmmakers R.J. Cutler and John Battsek, but even more impressively is that Belushi's widow Judith Belushi Pisano has agreed to collaborate on the film as well, which is a first. She provided intimate insight into the Belushi's life as well as an exclusive photo of her husband from her private collection, which you can see below.

Directed and produced by Cutler, and produced by Battsek, the documentary is scheduled to start production this fall. Long-time Belushi collaborator Sean Daniel will also serve as executive producer along with Bill Couturie. The film will be produced in association with Sky Atlantic. Read on for comments from the filmmakers and Belushi's widow, as well as the newly released image of the late comedian.


R.J. Cutler:

“Belushi was one of my very first heroes. At a time when film, television, and music were undergoing tectonic shifts within American culture, he was at the center of it all. At that moment, he had the number one show on television, the number one film at the box office, and the number one record on the charts. We plan to explore his unique genius and how his creative influence is still making an impact to this moment.”

John Battsek:

“This is a film I have wanted to make for many years as John was a great hero of mine. Having Judy cooperation for the first time on a feature documentary of his life is very special and means we know we will be making a truly authentic film. We plan to assemble a deep and three-dimensional look into the life of a man of great complexity and talent who went on to become an American comedic icon.”

Judy Belushi:

"John Battsek and I have been discussing the possibility of making this film for over a decade. I’m thrilled to finally embark upon that journey together with him and director RJ Cutler.  Passion Pictures is poised to make the definitive documentary on John Belushi – a man who not only had a profound effect on the comedy landscape of America, but also made an indelible mark on the social fabric of his time which continues to reverberate today.”


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