Roku is creating a new biopic based around the life of Al Yankovic, aka "Weird Al," and according to a report from Deadline, Daniel Radcliffe will be starring in the upcoming short film from Funny or Die and Tango.
As the outlet revealed, Yankovic and Eric Appel teamed up on the writing of the project with Appel is set to direct.
On his Instagram page after the announcement was made, Yankovic confirmed his role to his fans and followers, saying "So... I'm making a movie."
“When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I’m very happy to say we’re on schedule. And I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film,” Yankovic told Deadline. “I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for."
Filming is set to begin on Weird: The Al Yankovic Story in Los Angeles sometime next month, although an exact date was not revealed.
“There clearly aren’t enough biopic movies about famous musicians and we were excited to shine a light on the incredibly true, unexaggerated story of Weird Al," Roku’s Head of Original Scripted Programming, Colin Davis, said in his own statement. “This is sincerely the ultimate combination of talent, creativity, and friends, coming together to make something genuinely funny and we could not be prouder to call this film a Roku Original.”
Funny Or Die’s Henry Muñoz III and Tango’s Neil Shah will also serve as producers.
“I am excited that my first project as the owner of Funny Or Die Studios is to help bring the story of ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic to the screen,” Muñoz III, Funny Or Die’s Chairman and executive producer, offered. “Weird Al is a comic genius and his impact on pop culture, his mastery of the music video, his award-winning music and his incredible life are a perfect fit for the talented producers at FOD... We are honored to partner with Roku, Tango and our director Eric Appel on this important movie."
“WEIRD has brought together a weird and wonderful team of creative people, to tell the story of a man who has made people laugh and sing across the world,” Muñoz III also said.
As for Radcliffe, he has yet to share an official statement in regard to his upcoming role as Yankovic. That said, he's certainly a familiar face.
After kicking off his run with the Harry Potter franchise in 2001, Radcliffe went on to star in nearly all of its films.
