Paul Giamatti Cast as Paranormal Icon Art Bell in Upcoming Biopic

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Back in the ’90s, if you were captivated by the paranormal, Art Bell’s name would be instantly familiar. Known for his late-night radio show Coast to Coast AM, he had intriguing conversations with guests about topics ranging from ghosts and aliens to time travel and Bigfoot. Now, it’s Paul Giamatti who is slated to play the late Bell in an upcoming biopic. This project will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the minds behind Ready or Not and Abigail.

Working diligently within the deadline, the unnamed project starring Giamatti has gained momentum. Notably, studios such as Amazon and Warner Bros. are actively competing for the opportunity to bring this pitch to life. The script is being skillfully crafted by Sam Chalsen, a writer from TV’s Sleepy Hollow, and Nelson Greaves, known for Unfriended. Sophie Cassidy’s 2.0 Entertainment is producing this project along with Jeff Katz, a successful radio host who also shares a passion for Bell. Katz and Cassidy have successfully secured the rights to Bell’s life story during their collaboration on the 2023 horror film The Pope’s Exorcist, featuring Russell Crowe.

Radio Silence, composed of Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett, have just concluded their successful project “Abigail” (2024) that garnered praise from both audiences and critics alike. This duo is also known for directing the latest installments of the “Scream” series, as well as the masterminds behind the surprise success of 2019’s “Ready or Not.” A follow-up to this film is currently underway in development.

Art Bell Left Behind a Lasting Legacy

1945 saw Bell’s birth and the commencement of his broadcasting journey as a rock disc jockey. He later transitioned to talk radio, delving into political discussions. Growing tired of the turmoil in Washington, he began discussing taboo topics such as conspiracy theories, the supernatural, UFOs, and dubious science. Despite mainstream ridicule, Bell amassed a dedicated audience, peaking with over 15 million listeners tuning in to his late-night show, Coast to Coast AM, which was broadcast nationwide across approximately 500 stations.

Eventually, Bell stepped down from his responsibilities on Coast to Coast AM, later moving on to host Art Bell’s Dark Matter on Sirius XM Radio. In 2015, he took up another show called Midnight in the Desert. Regrettably, Bell passed away on April 13, 2018, at the age of 72. However, his impact lives on, with numerous books among his many contributions. One notable work co-authored by Whitley Streiber, The Coming Global Superstorm, served as inspiration for Roland Emmerich’s 2004 disaster movie, The Day After Tomorrow. With climate change making frequent headlines, this book may be more relevant than ever before.

It’s great news that numerous episodes of Bell’s popular shows like Coast to Coast AM are accessible on YouTube and their official website for a monthly fee of $6.95, and his Midnight in the Desert series can be found on YouTube too. As a trailblazer in the paranormal field who brought many mysterious unknowns to light, let’s hope that Radio Silence and Giamatti will do justice to Bell, still cherished as one of the most adored figures in the annals of talk radio history.

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2025-02-11 22:32