Papa's got a brand-new bag, and this time it's in the form of a biopic. James Brown will finally see his life play out on the big screen now that Universal and Imagine Entertainment are moving forward with the long-gestating film.
According to Variety, Chadwick Boseman, who broke onto the scene this year as Jackie Robinson in "42," will play Brown. Tate Taylor ("The Help," "Pretty Ugly People") is on board to direct a script by Jez and John Henry Butterworth ("Fair Game").
The biopic will trace Brown's rise to fame, from his early days living in poverty in Georgia to his breakout as an R&B superstar. The film will be shot solely in Mississippi, Taylor and the state's governor announced.
Early news indicates there may be a bit of a "Help" reunion associated with the film. TheWrap reports that Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Nelsan Ellis are all being eyed for supporting roles in the biopic. No official offers have been made to the actresses or the "True Blood" star as of yet. (Spencer won Best Supporting Actress when she worked with Taylor on "The Help.")
The still-untitled film does not yet have a release date. It will be produced by, among others, Mick Jagger, who will also be depicted in the movie.
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