Two weeks after it was announced that New Line Cinema had obtained the rights to the upcoming Chris Farley biopicThe production’s rookie director, Josh Gad, offers some sneak peeks at what fans can expect.
The film, which has the blessing of the Farley family, will explore the iconic comedian’s journey from his childhood in Wisconsin to his meteoric rise to fame on Saturday Night Live in New York City, and his blossoming film career, which led to his tragic death from a drug overdose at the age of 33.
Although he’s limited in what he can share about the story at this time, which will star Paul Walter Hauser as Farley, Gad revealed the source material the story will be based on during an interview with Collider.
‘I can tell you that it is based on the incredible book written by Chris’ brother Tom. [Farley Jr.]and his partner, Tanner [Colby]called The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts,” he told the publication.
The New York Times bestseller has been described as “a portrait of who Farley was to his closest friends, family and colleagues,” and at the same time a tragic story of the falls of addiction, which ultimately took his life in December 1997, two months before his 34th birthday.
Josh Gad, 43, revealed that his upcoming directorial debut for the upcoming Chris Farley biopic will be “very personal” for him, considering he idolized the SNL legend growing up.
“It will continue his journey through thick and thin, many times through good and sometimes through bad, and he will do it in a way that I hope will make people laugh and sometimes cry,” Gad explained. ‘But we are very excited. “We’re at the beginning, but I think it’s going to be really special.”
For Gad, he knew his first directorial effort had to be “something that was very personal” to him, and Chris Farley’s telling of the story meets that emotional and creative bar, considering he’s adored the comedian since his own childhood. .
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber have been tapped to write the screenplay based on the book, although Gad is expected to look to other sources for inspiration.
An important element that the director will seek to achieve during filming will be Farley’s knack for universal humor, or his ability to make almost anyone laugh, which has helped him stay relevant in the more than 27 years since his death.
‘There is a joy and legacy to Chris’s work that is totally unique. There are very few people who can make everyone laugh. Chris Farley was one of those people. So what I hope to capture is the essence of that,” Gad revealed.
Gad will also look to ensure his portrayal captures Farley’s emotionality by showing the depth of his relationships and demons.
The actor-turned-director fully understands the task ahead and the Herculean effort required to make the film a hit among fans and critics alike.
“I had wanted to direct for a long time, but I knew I needed to do something that was very personal and a story about struggling with weight, fighting confidence, fighting inner demons and wanting to make people laugh even if Sometimes you’re on your own,” Gad explained about the need to make the biographical film.
“It will continue his journey through thick and thin, many times through good and sometimes through bad, and he will do it in a way that I hope will make people laugh and sometimes cry,” Gad explained. ‘But we are very excited. We’re at the beginning, but I think it will be really special.’
Paul Walter Hauser, 37, had previously revealed his long-standing desire to play Farley in a film.
Gad added: “That stuff was totally familiar and recognizable to me, partly because I loved Chris Farley as a kid. So for me it’s kind of a full circle project and, in a way, I see a lot of myself in it.” .
In a sense, the Beauty and the Beast star is viewing the biopic as a kind of love letter to Farley’s life and career, which will draw on her love for the comedian and his work during her own childhood, watching him from afar.
For Hauser, who previously expressed a long-standing desire to play Farley on screen, the film is also something of a passion project.
The actor is known for his supporting roles in films such as I, Tonya (2017), BlacKkKlansman (2018), Late Night (2019), Da 5 Bloods (2020) and Cruella (2021), in addition to his standout performance in the title. role in Clint Eastwood’s drama film Richard Jewell (2019).
An important element that Gad will look to achieve as a director will be Farley’s knack for universal humor, or his ability to make almost anyone laugh, which has helped him stay relevant in the more than 27 years since his death; He is seen on SNL with Adam Sandler in 1995
Gad will also look to ensure that his portrayal captures Farley’s emotionality by showing the depth of his relationships and demons; After being fired from SNL, Farley had a flourishing film career, which included Tommy Boy (1995) with David Spade.
Along with the Farley biopic, Hauser’s other upcoming roles also include the Naked Gun reboot, The Fantastic Four and Inside Out 2.
SNL creator and longtime producer Lorne Michaels is also involved as a producer on the film through his company Broadway Video.
Chris Farley was found dead inside his Chicago apartment in December 1997, which the Cook County medical examiner attributed to an accidental overdose of cocaine and morphine.
Farley’s biopic is still in its early stages of production, so there is no word yet on a projected release date.
