Pass The Popcorn: James Brown Biopic In The Works From Mick Jagger & Brian Grazer

Mother popcorn! Looks like Brian Grazer, the producer who brought you movies like American Gangster, 8 Mile, Da Vinci Code and CB4 (to name a few) has finally secured the rights to music for a movie he's been trying to make for over 10 years. That's right, we're talking about Soul Brother Number One, Mr. Dynamite, The Godfather of modern black music and the hardest working man in showbiz, James Brown himself. Alongside Grazer, Rolling Stone Mick Jagger will be co-producing the biopic. As we can clearly tell, Grazer likes "to make movies about mastery and genius" so it's no surprise that he's been trying to make a James Brown movie for so long. "On the most visceral level, [Brown] sings and dances, and the performance of that contributes to defining him as the hardest working man in showbiz," he says. With performances being such an immense part of James Brown's legacy, it's just as unsurprising to hear that the first draft of the screenplay has over 30 performance scenes in it. The script, written by British playwright brothers, Jez and John-Henry Buttersworth, is currently in the revision stage (though I don't know anyone who wouldn't want to see 30 James Brown-inspired performances) and casting will begin shortly--so start speculating who could be Andre 3000 to Jimi's James, if you know what I mean.

While we wait for more details on the biopic, my NYC people can celebrate the news almost immediately at the 8th Wonder James Brown Tribute Party this Saturday at The Gallery at LPR. With DJs Skeme Richards, Cosmo Baker, Monk-One and Kamui Sumida, this is one legacy party you won't want to miss. See the flyer below and please note that it's a brand new day so let a man come in and pass the popcorn.

spotted at RS