Fifteen Biopics To Get Excited About In The Near(ish) Future

With "42," the story of Jackie Robinson, coming to theaters in the next month, it's time to get in the spirit of biopics. From the beloved to the notorious, these life-stories are being brought to the silver screen in the next few years...though progress on some is moving (way) faster than on others.

1. Jimi Hendrix

Title:

"All is By My Side"

Starring...

Outkast MC Andre 3000 ("Semi-Pro", "Scary Movie 4") as the iconic rock star

Status:

Post-production

Word on the Street:

It's surprising that we've gone this long without a Hendrix biopic.

I have my doubts about this one though...Neither director John Ridley nor Andre have particularly riveting filmographies (contrary to popular belief, Ridley's "Undercover Brother" was not a top contender at the 2002 Oscars).

Furthermore, the Hendrix estate has refused to give the rights to any of the artist's work, so the film will include no actual Hendrix tracks. The producers have stated that this is okay, since the movie revolves mainly around Hendrix being discovered and brought to London. Still, as a representative from the Hendrix estate put it, it's like making, "a movie about Lincoln without being able to use the Gettysburg Address."

Damn.

2. Princess Diana

Title:

"Diana"

Starring...

Naomi Watts as the late Princess.

Status:

Post-Production

Word on the Street:

Doing a movie that centers around such a beloved figure is definitely treading on delicate territory. Director Oliver Hirschbiegel has his work cut out for him (especially since his last major film, "The Invasion," starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, did not instill much faith in his skillz).

Apparently, the film will focus on Diana's longtime love affair with Dr. Hasnat Kahn. Watts herself has some apprehension, calling her role "high, high, high risk." However, co-star Naveen Andrews (that long-haired dude from "Lost"!!!) told the press association that he "doesn't think anyone else" could have captured the Princess like Watts.

Let's hope so. You don't wanna piss off the royal family.

3. Joe Paterno

Title:

"Happy Valley"

Starring...

Al Pacino as the legendary, fallen Penn State football coach.

Status:

Pre-Production

Word on the Street:

Paterno is probably the most controversial figure on this list, so just the topic of this movie alone will generate tons of Hollywood buzz. Furthermore, the movie is being directed by Brian De Palma, who clearly makes an all-star team with Pacino (anyone heard of "Scarface"?).

And of course, there's the burning question: who will play Jerry Sandusky?

My pick? John Malkovich.

4. Freddie Mercury

Title:

Nothing announced.

I'm thinking they go with a cheesy, Queen-inspired title with this one.

Best Guess- "We Are The Champions" or "We Will Rock You"

Starring...

Sacha Barron Cohen as the flamboyant Queen vocalist

Status:

Production begins this Spring

Why you should be excited:

Queen guitarist Brian May was quoted saying: "Sasha is a huge Queen fan and is focused on getting Freddie's mannerisms, style and speech perfect. He is working on building his vocals." Cohen is rarely serious, but is one of the most talented impersonators of our time. Envisioning Borat attempting to emulate Mercury's iconic voice is a spectacle in itself.

Also, Tom Hooper ("The King's Speech", "Les Miserables") is directing.

Also, Blake Lively is rumored to play Mercury's long-time girlfriend Mary Austin.

Boom.

5. Mikhail Gorbachev

Title:

"Reykjavik"

Starring...

Christoph Waltz as the former Soviet Leader.

Status:

Production beginning this Spring

Word on the Street:

"Reykjavik" will center around the 1986 meeting between Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan that signaled the end of the cold war. Michael Douglas will play the ex-president. Douglas has recently dipped his feet in the biopic world, playing Liberace in the HBO movie "Behind the Candelabra."

Mike Newell is slated to direct, a pretty significant shift from his recent films, including "The Prince of Persia" and "Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire."

I don't really care what he's directed in the past, though. As long as Christoph Waltz is in it, it's going to be awesome.

6. Steve Jobs

Title:

"Jobs"

Starring...

Ashton Kutcher will be portraying the brilliant co-founder of Apple.

Status:

Post-Production

Word on the street:

"Jobs" is an indie, directed by Joshua Michael Stern ("Swing Vote"? That movie with Kevin Costner? No? Okay). Kutcher wouldn't be my first choice for the role, but he does look a lot like a young Jobs. The film was slated to be released April 19th, but has been "indefinitely postponed." Don't know what that means, but it doesn't sound too good.

This will not be the only Steve Jobs biopic that you will be seeing soon, however.

In a strange turn of events, FunnyorDie has made their own "biopic" starring Justin Long that will air on their website on April 15th.

Furthermore, Aaron Sorkin ("The Social Network") has stated that he plans on tackling the life of Jobs in the near future.

I vote we just bag the other two and just focus on getting Sorkin's done. Deal? Deal.

7. Lance Armstrong

Title:

No word yet.

Starring...?

Despite Bradley Cooper reporting to BBC that he was interested in the role and JJ Abrams saying the two had been in contact, the actor has recently denied involvement. Here's to hoping he can be swayed.

Status:

Pre-Production

Word on the street:

Oooooo, competition!

J.J. Abrams and Jay Roach have BOTH signed on to direct separate biopics about the cyclist.

In January, Abrams and Paramount Pictuers secured the rights to New York times reporter Juliet Marcur's upcoming book "Cycle of Lies: The Fall of Lance Armstrong."

More recently, Warner Brothers announced they are also trying their hand at the life of the disgraced cyclist, with Roach at the helm. The company has acquired the rights of Tyler Hamilton, the former biker who was in Armstrong's inner circle on the US postal service team.

On the silver screen, Roach has mastered the art of goofy comedies, directing "The Campaign and "Austin Powers." However, he has also directed HBO political dramas "Game Change and "Recount."

Will he make this a serious drama or will Danny McBride be hopping on a bike?

8. James Brown

Title:

None as of now. I think something that played off of his nicknames could be pretty groovy (“Mr. Dynamite” or “Soul Brother Number One”). Or, you know, "I Feel Good"

(Rumored) Stars:

A bunch of names have been thrown around: Eddie Murphy seems like a great choice though. His past few movies have been, for lack of a better word, lame (think “Tower Heist,” “A Thousand Words,” “Meet Dave”). However, Murphy has portrayed Brown on Saturday Night Live and his vibrant, goofy nature definitely meets the criteria for playing this legend.

Status:

Pre-Production

Word on the Street:

The movie already has sparked controversy by putting a white director, Tate Tucker ("The Help") in charge, instead of someone like Spike Lee who was in talks to direct a biopic in the 90’s. However, the producers of this movie alone should spark excitement. Brian Grazer, who has produced hits from “Apollo 13” to “8 Mile” has been on board for years and recently signed on Mick Jagger as a co-producer. Also, Brown’s life is loaded with material for wild scenes. His two-state car chase in 1988? That time he hit his wife with a lead pipe while tripping on PCP?

Oh yeah. That time.

9. Brian Wilson

Title:

"Love and Mercy"

Star:

Paul Dano ("There Will Be Blood") as the Beach Boys' frontman.

Status:

Production slated to begin this summer

Word on the Street:

This has the makings of a truly great film. Bill Pohlad, producer of "Into the Wild" and "Brokeback Mountain" is set to direct. Furthermore, for any moment that tracks from "Pet Sounds" aren't gracing our ears, Atticus Ross (who won an Oscar for the perfectly crafted "Social Network" soundtrack) is set to score.

Wilson is apparently "thrilled" that Dano, a talented young actor who broke on the screen as the voluntarily mute brother in "Little Miss Sunshine", will portray him.

Wilson's story is a personal one, from drug addiction to struggles with mental health, but the singer is still excited to watch his life unfold on the screen, saying, "I can't wait to see it with a full tub of buttered popcorn."

10. Janis Joplin

Title:

"Get It While You Can"

Starring:

Amy Adams as the "Piece of My Heart" singer.

Status: Pre-Production

Word on the street:

Getting around to making a Janis Joplin biopic has not been easy: Zooey Deschanel, Pink, Renee Zellweger and Reese Witherspoon have all been attached to abandoned projects in the past. In 2010, "City of God" director of Fernando Mereilles was set to direct, but in the time that has passed, it has switched hands to Lee Daniels (director of "Precious").

Interestingly, "Joplin," another biopic starring Broadway actress Nina Arianda is supposed to begin filming around the same time as "Get It."

Let the best Janis win!

11. Elton John

Title:

"Rocketman"

Star:

Justin Timberlake is John's top-pick right now.

Status:

Pre-Production

Word on the street:

This film is sounding like it has the potential to be the weirdest on the list.

Its director, Michael Gracey, has essentially no directing credits to his name.

Strange.

JT is supposed to play EJ.

Stranger.

"It's going to be a surreal look at my life, and not just a factual look at my life, more in the manner of a 'Moulin Rouge!" John was reported as saying.

What!!?!?!??!?!?!

12. Ol' Dirty Bastard

Title:

"Dirty White Boy"

Starring...

Michael K. Williams ("The Wire," "Boardwalk Empire") will play the deceased rapper.

Status:

Pre-production

Word on the street:

The film will be directed by Joaquin Baca-Asay who, in addition to having a sweet name, made Jay Z's "99 Problems" music video. Williams is a full decade older than ODB was at the time of his death, but definitely has the acting chops for the role.

The story will be centered around the rapper's relationship with Jared Weisfeld, a 22 year old Vh1 production assistant who became Bastard's manager while the rapper served a jail sentence in 2001.

WuTang Clan members are slated to play themselves.

Word.

13. Marvin Gaye

Title:

"Sexual Healing"

Status:

Production beginning this Spring

Starring...

Jesse L. Martin ("Rent", "Law and Order") as the Mo-Town legend, who was slain by his father in 1984.

Word on the Street:

Lenny Kravitz had originally signed on to play Gaye, but dropped out, leaving Martin to take over the role. Gaye's family is all but thrilled with the biopic. His ex-wife, Janis Gaye, was quoted as saying that the film is the "last thing" her former husband would have wanted, while Gaye's son called the producers and director (Julien Temple) "very wrong and shameful." Nevertheless, Temple is going through with the production.

Let's get it on!(?)

14. Richard Pryor

Title:

"Is it Something I Said?"

Starring:

Marlon Wayans as the famously un-PC comedian.

Status:

Stalled

Word on the street:

This one has been in the works for years with an all-star team at the helm ("Twilight" director Bill Condon, as well as production backing from Adam Sandler and Chris Rock). However, it has been sidelined for several reasons, one of which is the fact that Rain Pryor, Richard's daughter, won't sign off on the script yet because she wasn't consulted during the writing process. Wayans has taken up stand-up comedy to prepare for the role and says that he believes that "one day it will get done."

One day.

15. Grace Kelly

Title:

"Grace of Monaco"

Starring:

Nicole Kidman as the fashionable starlet

Status:

Post-Production (due out in December)

Word on the street:

The film, directed by Oliver Dahan ("La Vie En Rose") centers around the period in 1962 when Kelly took a vital role in helping resolve the Monaco-France dispute.

Though Kidman is undoubtedly an exceptional actress, she is somewhat of a strange choice as she is forty five, a full thirteen years older than Kelly was at the time the film is set.

Furthermore, as has been the trend with many of these biopics, Kelly's children are not happy with the accuracy of the film. Her son Prince Albert of Monaco was quoted as saying that it is "pure fiction."

Kids these days!