What’s the story
New Line Cinema has successfully acquired the rights to a biographical film about the life of renowned late comedian Chris Farley, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
The film will star award-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser and mark the directorial debut of actor Josh Gad (The Wedding Ringer).
The project has received approval from the Farley family, ensuring its authenticity and respect for the late comedian’s legacy.
Production and script details of the biopic
The production of the biopic is being managed by Lorne Michaels and Erin David through Broadway Video.
The script is penned by Oscar and Emmy nominees Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, known for their work on The Disaster Artist and Daisy Jones & the Six.
The screenplay will be inspired by The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts—a best-selling biography authored by Chris’s brother Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby.
Hauser to star as Farley in his biopic
Hauser, who is celebrated for his Emmy, Critics’ Choice, and Golden Globe Award-winning performance in Black Bird, will portray Farley in the upcoming biopic.
Meanwhile, Hauser’s upcoming projects include roles in Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2, Apple Original Films’s The Instigators alongside Matt Damon, and Tony Tost’s directorial debut Americana.
His previous performances include roles in Richard Jewell, I, Tonya, Cruella, and Cobra Kai.
Remembering Farley: The comedian’s legacy
Farley was a beloved comedian who gained fame during his time on NBC‘s sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live for five seasons from 1990 to 1995.
Before his untimely death from a drug overdose in 1997 at the age of 33, Farley entertained audiences with his performances in popular comedy films such as Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, and Beverly Hills Ninja.
His comedic legacy continues to resonate with fans, making the upcoming biopic a highly-anticipated project.
