Musician & ’80s Icon Boy George Is Getting a Biopic

Musician & '80s Icon Boy George Is Getting a Biopic

As a film critic with a lifetime of listening to music that spans decades and continents, I must say I am thrilled about the upcoming biopic on Boy George. The man is a cultural icon whose impact on pop culture cannot be understated, and I’m eager to see how this story will unfold on the silver screen.


In a fusion of contemporary fascination with the ’80s and the preference for musical biopics, TriStar Pictures has unveiled its latest project: a biopic about the iconic ’80s musician, Boy George. According to Deadline, J.C. Lee will pen the screenplay for this upcoming film. Notably, Lee is recognized for co-writing the 2019 drama ‘Luce’, an adaptation of his own play.

On TV, he boasts credits such as ABC’s “How To Get Away With Murder”, Apple’s “The Morning Show”, and HBO’s “Looking” and “Girls”. He also has a rich background in theater, and his latest endeavors include “To My Girls”, “Relevance”, and “Warplay”. Other than the Boy George biopic, his upcoming project is an adaptation of Hulu’s “Bad Genius”, set to air this fall.

The biographical film is slated for production by Cathy Schulman, a multiple Academy Award winner, whose previous projects include “Crash,” “Dark Places,” “The Edge of Seventeen,” “The Woman King,” and more recently, Amazon’s “The Idea of You.” Additionally, Boy George’s manager, Paul Kemsley, Jeremy M. Rosen, and Kevin King Templeton are also involved in the production. Primary Wave Music is also on board, as well as George himself who will serve as an executive producer.

The film is expected to center around George’s achievements in both Culture Club and his solo music, given his biographies titled “Take It Like A Man,” “Straight,” and “Karma.” Known for his rise to fame as the lead singer of the legendary ’80s band, Culture Club, George has garnered numerous UK Top 10 singles and U.S. Top 10 singles, selling over 100 million singles and more than 50 million albums throughout his 40-year career. He has also won multiple Grammy Awards. A global icon, Boy George recently headlined “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” on Broadway, and his impact extends beyond music into television. His influence on culture is profound, with many being inspired by his work and persona worldwide.

Nevertheless, Boy George isn’t free from controversy. In 2007, he was convicted for assault and false imprisonment of Audun Carlsen. Moreover, his battle with heroin addiction lasted for years, leading to Culture Club’s disbandment due to Boy George’s personal issues, a wrongful death lawsuit, and a hidden romance. These intriguing events make his life story an excellent candidate for a biopic on the big screen.

There Are Plenty More Music Biopics on the Cinematic Horizon

Musician & '80s Icon Boy George Is Getting a BiopicMusician & '80s Icon Boy George Is Getting a BiopicMusician & '80s Icon Boy George Is Getting a BiopicMusician & '80s Icon Boy George Is Getting a BiopicMusician & '80s Icon Boy George Is Getting a Biopic

As a movie buff, I’ve been noticing a comeback of musical biopics lately that truly captivate my heart. Take, for instance, ‘Back to Black’, a gripping tale chronicling Amy Winehouse’s extraordinary career journey. Similarly, ‘One Love’ offers an insightful exploration into Bob Marley’s transformative ascent to becoming the undisputed king of reggae music. Notably, ‘Elvis’ was another blockbuster hit that catapulted Austin Butler into Hollywood’s A-list and earned him a Golden Globe nomination and an Oscar nod. Amongst these, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ stands out as one of the most successful biopics in recent memory. Released in 2019 to widespread praise, this film delves deep into the career of Freddie Mercury and Queen’s meteoric rise, culminating in Rami Malek’s triumphant win at the Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Coming soon are several biopics such as “A Complete Unknown” featuring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, scheduled for release on Christmas day this year. Additionally, Angelina Jolie will take on the role of Maria Callas in her biopic “Maria,” slated for release this year. Lastly, Lionsgate has planned to release the Michael Jackson biopic titled “Michael” with Jafaar Jackson portraying the late icon, set to hit screens in 2025.

Additional upcoming musical biopics feature Sam Mendes’ quartet of Beatles films, Selena Gomez portraying Linda Ronstadt, movies focused on the lives of Britney Spears, Carole King, Bruce Springsteen, Nat King Cole, and Fred Astaire respectively.

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2024-08-14 15:02