Long Rumored Bio-Pics That Never Materialized

[tigermaskxxxvii]

Yesterday I came across a 12 year old copy of (the now-defunct) World Of Wrestling Magazine which mentions rumors of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin appearing as a Hell's Angel in a Janis Joplin bio-pic. Even though the 1979 film The Rose was loosely based on Joplin's life, there has never been a proper Janis Joplin bio-pic. This got me thinking of other long rumored bio-pics of legendary artists who have rumored stars/directors/screenwriters/producers attached to the project but never materialized because they get stuck in developmental hell or were just unsubstantiated rumors.

So what rumored bio-pics have you heard about but never came to fruition? Another great example of this is every couple years there seems to be a rumor of a Richard Pryor bio-pic. A young (or youngish) famous black stand comic/actor is rumored to have been tapped to play the role and nothing ever comes of it. Although Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (directed, produced and co-written by Pryor) is the next best thing as Pryor plays the title character who burns himself in a drug incident and grew up in a brothel.

[mizerable]

Chris Farley as Fatty Arbuckle

[Joe Neglia]

Without getting into any of its religious aspects, Orson Welles promised a biopic on Jesus that never came to fruition.

Like Joplin, Hendrix has had a lot of trouble making to the screen. Larry Fishburne, Will Smith, Prince, Eddie Murphy and director Paul Greengrass have all tried to get it made at separate times, only to walk away due to the Hendrix Estate's refusal to cooperate.

Projects for Sinatra and Hugh Heffner have also been floating around forever.

Here's and interesting article on the status of 50+ planned biopics based on prominent black celebrities and other prominent figures: blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/50-biopic-projects-on-black-public-figures-in-limbo-updating-the-list-1-year-later

[mizerable]

Welles also I believe at one time wanted to do Napoleon, as did Kubrick.

[Deleted]

I'm surprised that we're still without a Walt Disney biopic. Saving Mr. Banks doesn't really count.

[Ben Wyatt]

I seem to remember Mellisa Etheridge was either signed on, or about to be signed on to play Janice Joplin

[Deleted]

Wasnt there that Benoit Biopic that just disappeared?

[Rican]

Apr 4, 2013 3:21:59 GMT -5 Joe Neglia said:

Without getting into any of its religious aspects, Orson Welles promised a biopic on Jesus that never came to fruition.

Like Joplin, Hendrix has had a lot of trouble making to the screen. Larry Fishburne, Will Smith, Prince, Eddie Murphy and director Paul Greengrass have all tried to get it made at separate times, only to walk away due to the Hendrix Estate's refusal to cooperate.

Projects for Sinatra and Hugh Heffner have also been floating around forever.

Here's and interesting article on the status of 50+ planned biopics based on prominent black celebrities and other prominent figures: blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/50-biopic-projects-on-black-public-figures-in-limbo-updating-the-list-1-year-later

Andre 3000 as Hendrix was also rumored for years before falling apart

[Yami Daimao]

The Freddie Mercury/Queen biopic starring Sacha Baron Cohen as Freddie that's been talked about for years, that went through a few possible release dates, but nothing ever seems to progress.

[Vampiro138]

I recall talk of doing a Guns n' Roses bio pic after the Slash bio came out...i even remember reading that Johnny Depp was in talks to play Izzy. didnt hear much after that.

[wildojinx]

There were supposed to be biopics on Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue (crue's 2008 Saints of Los Angeles album was supposed to be the soundtrack to said movie) but nothing has been heard about either project.

[anticonscience]

Apr 4, 2013 3:26:21 GMT -5 mizerable said:

Welles also I believe at one time wanted to do Napoleon, as did Kubrick.

Least sexy 3-way of all time!