A biopic chronicling the life of comedic legend Chris Farley is reportedly in the pipeline.
The project is based on the biography “The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts,” with actor Paul Walter Hauser attached to portray the late SNL star, according to Deadline.
Josh Gad, known for his roles in “Frozen” and “Beauty and the Beast,” will take the director’s chair. Lorne Michaels, who discovered and cast Farley on Saturday Night Live in the 90s, will produce through his banner, Broadway Video.
The script, penned by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, will be presented as a packaged pitch based on the book.
Farley’s family has reportedly given their blessing to the project, which will draw inspiration from the biography written by his brother Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby.
This film promises to be a heartfelt tribute to Farley’s comedic genius, exploring the life and career of one of the most beloved comic actors of his generation.
Chris Farley exploded onto the scene as a cast member on Saturday Night Live in the 90s.
Known for his boundless energy and full-bodied commitment to every character, he shared the stage with comedic powerhouses like Adam Sandler and David Spade. Many of Farley’s sketches became instant classics.
He leveraged this late-night success into a flourishing film career, starring in hilarious movies like “Tommy Boy” and “Beverly Hills Ninja.”
However, Farley’s personal struggles with addiction tragically cut his life short in 1997 at the young age of 33.
Interestingly, Paul Walter Hauser, the chosen actor to portray Farley, has previously expressed his deep desire to take on this role.
He even reached out to the Farley family himself, hinting at his genuine passion for bringing this story to life, according to The Hollywood reporter.
