Todd Phillips Wants To Develop Another John Belushi Biopic
Did you think the idea of a John Belushi biopic was over, simply because one was already done about 20 years ago and was both a critical and commercial failure?
“Over…? Did you say over…? Nothing is over until we decide it is. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!”
Warner Bros. recently acquired the life rights to the late comedian known most for his run on SATURDAY NIGHT LIFE, in addition to the movies NATIONAL LAMPOON’S ANIMAL HOUSE and THE BLUES BROTHERS. After making such a purchase, the studio is looking to move quickly on developing a biopic with Todd Phillips (OLD SCHOOL and THE HANGOVER) and writer Steven Conrad (THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS) working to get this project off the ground. Conrad will pen the script, and Phillips will produce, according to The Hollywood Reporter, with the prospect of Phillips directing not being ruled out just yet.
Belushi died in 1982 at the age of 33 after a drug overdose, cutting short a promising career that had yet to fully reach its potential. Starring roles in GHOSTBUSTERS and SPIES LIKE US were written for him before his death, parts that were later taken by Bill Murray and Chevy Chase, respectively… so there is plenty of wonder as to what John Belushi could have risen to had he stayed alive. There probably wouldn’t have been a BLUES BROTHERS 2000… that’s for sure.
Belushi’s life was written about in the book WIRED by Bob Woodward, which was later adapted into the film of the same name. However, many of Belushi’s family and friends boycotted both when they were released, feeling that they sensationalized the events around Belushi’s death, and, as a result, the fans never embraced either project really. The book went on to be a best-seller regardless, while the film bombed, grossing just over a $1 million domestically. WIRED also has never been released on DVD.
Is there room for a Belushi biopic out there right now? I guess. Some people would say one was enough, but, taking into account how badly that one was slammed, it makes sense for a more honest and respectful look at Belushi in a film to get done. Belushi’s widow Judith Belushi Pisano will serve as an executive producer on the film, so you’d have to believe she might have some input as to how the comedian is portrayed, and may be able to provide a perspective many weren’t able to see of him behind closed doors.
The casting is going to be incredibly important on this one, and, while various names have been thrown out already, The Kidd thinks an unknown would be the best way to go. That would lend the film to have John Belushi come to life in this form, as opposed to having some name actor playing John Belushi or impersonating John Belushi.
I’m not opposed to this idea since anything worth doing is worth doing right, and the idea of a John Belushi biopic hasn’t been done that way yet. Todd Phillips seems like a solid choice to help build this project from the ground up. However, there are plenty of hurdles to overcome before I can give this one The Kidd stamp of approval.
