On the 16th anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death are we any closer to a film about his life?
Who else is 'languishing' in biopic purgatory?
Kurt Cobain
Credit: Robert Sorbo/AP
Today marks the 16th anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death. Are we any closer to a biopic on the Nirvana leader?
It depends upon whom you believe.
In an extensive story on biopics in April 1’s Variety, author Steve Chagollan calls any attempt to bring Cobain’s story to the big screen, “long languishing.” Among the others that can’t seem to achieve lift off? Projects on Miles Davis, Janis Joplin, Keith Moon, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and Frank Sinatra.
However MTV reports today, perhaps to commemorate Cobain’s death, that Oren Moverman, best known as director of “The Messenger,” is still in talks to direct a Cobain biopic based on Charles R. Cross’s 2001 book “Heavier Than Heaven.” Moverman is very cautious, telling MTV that “it’s so early in the process, it would be not right for me to try to guess what the film will be before I start to actually attack it, before I’m officially on it.” As we previously reported, Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, has optioned the rights to "Heavier Than Heaven." Universal owns the rights to Cobain's and Love's life stories. Odd, but true.
As Chagollan's piece points out, biopics can be very messy business when it comes to getting rights to the music and the estate's approval, if that's an issue.
Do we really need a Cobain biopic? No, we just need the music. So today, in honor of Cobain, take out your favorite Nirvana album and turn it up loud.
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About This Blog
Melinda Newman is the former West Coast Bureau Chief for Billboard Magazine with more than 15 years of experience in the music industry. She covers music and entertainment for the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Associated Press, MSN, AOL and other outlets. Recent interviews include Taylor Swift, Pink, Brad Paisley, Foo Fighters, Jonas Bros. and Snow Patrol.
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Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupDylan Casting will be hard. Kurt Cobain was a good looking guy, so there'll be a lot of simple pretty boys lobbying for the part who will never be able to capture his aura, his angst, and intelligence.
April 5, 2010 at 1:40PM EST Reply to CommentI think if they do it, it should be of the same artistic caliber as Nirvana's music. This is highly unlikely though and I'm positive we'll end up with a sappy, Walk the Line, formulaic piece of shit.
charley ann totally agree Do we really need a Cobain biopic? No, we just need the music. So today, in honor of Cobain, take out your favorite Nirvana album and turn it up loud.
April 5, 2011 at 3:10AM EST Reply to Commentso today thats what ill be doing