Daniel Radcliffe will play the title role “WEIRD: The Weird Al Yankovic Story”Roku was announced by the company on Tuesday. The film will examine the career of the Grammy-winning musician, and pop cultural icon.
Produced by Funny Or Die & Tango “WEIRD: The ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic Story” is Roku’s first original biopic. Production “WEIRD”Los Angeles will be the first stop. The Roku Channel will exclusively offer the film for free.
“WEIRD: The Weird Al Yankovic Story” is written by Al Yankovic & Eric Appel. Appel will direct the film as well as being an executive producer. Yankovic, Joe Farrell, Whitney Hodack, Mike Farah and Joe Farrell are the producers of Funny Or Die. Max Silva, Max Headington, Lia Buman, and Tim Headington produce Tango. Funny Or Die’s Henry Muñoz III and Tango’s Neil Shah are executive producers.
Per the film’s official description: “The biopic holds nothing back, exploring every facet of Yankovic’s life, from his meteoric rise to fame with early hits like ‘Eat It’ and ‘Like a Surgeon’ to his torrid celebrity love affairs and famously depraved lifestyle. ‘WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story’ takes audiences on a truly unbelievable journey through Yankovic’s life and career, from gifted child prodigy to the greatest musical legend of all time.”
“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. I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for,”Yankovic made the statement.
Henry Muñoz III, Funny Or Die Chairman and executive producer said: “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. 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.”
“Weird Al”Yankovic is a five time Grammy winner and one of comedy’s best-selling recording artists. Yankovic was the #1 comedy album in 2014. “Mandatory Fun”And is one of three recording artists who have had top 40 hits over the last four decades.