John Belushi Biopic in Development at Warner Brothers
Thu, August 12, 2010 
If you don't succeed, try a couple of decades later.
The story of comic-icon John Belushi was already chronicled in Wired, based on the Bob Woodward book. It was universally-rejected by Belushi's family/friends, critics and the general public. Good luck if you can find a copy of it on VHS.
But it's the kind of story that was eventually going to be attempted again. Properly handled, Belushi's story could result in a most excellent film. Risky Business reports Warner Brothers are up for that task and have assigned a screenwriter in Steven Conrad (The Pursuit of Happyness) and Todd Phillips (currently one of the studio's Golden Boys – thanks to The Hangover, its forthcoming sequel due next May and this fall's Due Date).
For the time being Phillips' role is merely that of the producer. Whether he'll decide to sit in the director's chair will be determined down the line – i.e. after Conrad turns in his first draft and once The Hangover 2 wraps.
The big jalapeno, of course, is who would play Belushi. Again like the director, it's too early in the process to answer that question. But plenty in the current crop of "fat guy" actor/comedians are having their names thrown around – Zach Galifianakis, Jack Black and so on and so forth. If I'm casting this, I'd go for an unknown. That said I wouldn't bank on that.
Reader Comments (1)
This COULD work, but its all down to execution. I remember seeing maybe 45 minutes of Wired on TV as an eleven year old ; even then I thought it was insulting to the man, as well as Dan Aykroyd! Not really sold about Todd Phillips getting onboard (I hated The Hangover!). As for actors? They need to get someone who can pull off the extroverted, somewhat obnoxious side of Belushi, aswell as that quiet intensity he had. In short, I agree with getting an unknown... but then again, they got an unknown for Wired (a very young Michael Chiklis) and look how bad that turned out.