Eddie Murphy is about to tear the roof off the sucker.
The actor is set to play Parliament-Funkadelic leader George Clinton in an untitled biopic from director Bill Condon for Amazon MGM Studios. The script is currently being written by Virgil Williams, from an original draft by Max Werner. The project was initiated by Catherine Davis, a lifelong George Clinton fan, who brought the idea to Murphy.
Condon previously directed Murphy in the 2006 film “Dreamgirls,” which earned the actor an Oscar nomination and Golden Globe win for best supporting actor.
The film will be produced by Murphy via Eddie Murphy Productions, John Davis via Davis Entertainment, Davis and Greg Yolen. Eddie Murphy Productions’ Charisse Hewitt-Webster, as well as Clinton, Archie Ivy and Jeff Jampol are executive producing.
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Based on Clinton’s memoir, “Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard On You?,” the film is the untold story of the influential pioneer of funk and his tumultuous journey to founding musical collective Parliament-Funkadelic. Known for their outlandish sci-fi themes, surreal sounds and psychedelic shows, Clinton and his band’s wild road redefined music and culture.
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Murphy previously worked with Amazon MGM Studios on “Candy Cane Lane” and “Coming 2 America,” both of which saw him both produce and star. He’s next set to star in the studio’s “The Pickup” with Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson.
Condon is currently in post-production on “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” a feature adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical starring Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna. Condon also wrote and directed “Kinsey,” “Gods and Monsters” (for which he received the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay), and penned the screenplay for the 2002 musical film “Chicago.”
Williams earned an Oscar nomination for his “Mudbound” screenplay, and most recently co-wrote an adaptation of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” alongside director Malcolm Washington.
Condon is represented by WME, Anonymous Content and attorney Wayne Alexander at Alexander, Lawrence, Frumes & Labowitz. Williams is represented by CAA, manager Craig Brody from Map Point, and attorneys John Meigs and Mahdi Salehi of Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox, LLP.
Deadline was first to report the news.
