If you were going to cast someone to play portly comedy legend John Belushi, Emile Hirsch isn’t probably the first name that would come to your mind. However he has indeed signed on for a biopic of Belushi, according to Variety. The news comes only a few days after it was reported he was in contention for the title role alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Workaholics star Adam DeVine.
Steve Conrad (The Weather Man) wrote the screenplay and is directing the biopic, which follows John Belushi’s life until his tragic death at the age of 33 from a heroin overdose. The story is said to be an allegory that illuminates the highs and lows of the American dream (but then, isn’t nearly every biopic about a star with a drug problem?).
John Belushi’s widow, Judith Belushi-Pisano, is serving as executive producer along with Dan Aykroyd. Filming is planned to start next spring.