The story ofSaturday Night Liveis already coming to the big screen soon withSNL 1975,and now a new project is in the works that will tell the tale of one of the show’s biggest stars. A biopic ofChris Farley,the famedSNLcomedian who became an icon of 1990s film and television, is in development, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.Josh Gadis in talks to direct the project, which will starPaul Walter Hauserin the role of Farley.
The film will tell the tragic story of Farley, who joinedSNLin 1990 and quickly became a rising star. With his characters such as the Lunch Lady, the Chippendales dancer, andmotivational speaker Matt Foley, Farley quickly became the show’s marquee star alongside otherSNLplayers of the day likeAdam Sandler, Chris RockandDavid Spade.He went onto star in films such asTommy BoyandAirheads,and originally voiced the title roleinShrekbefore being replaced byMike Myers.After struggling with substance abuse for much of his life, Farley passed away from an accidental drug overdose in 1997 at the age of 33. He is still remembered as one of the greatest performers inSNLhistory.
The biopic will be based onThe Chris Farley Show: A Biography In Three Acts,the New York Times-bestselling book byTanner ColbyandTom Farley Jr,Farley’s brother. The screenplay, adapted from the book, will be written byScott NeustadterandMichael H. Weber.Lorne Michaels,the creator and producer ofSNL,will produce the Farley biopic through his Broadway Video banner. The project is currently being pitched to studios around Hollywood.
The directing of a biopic is a new endeavor for Gad, who starred in the Broadway musicalThe Book of Mormonbefore achieving worldwide fame voicing the snowman Olaf in Disney’sFrozenfranchise. Since then, Gad has starred in numerous other high-profile films, includingMurder on the Orient Express,Beauty and the Beast,andGhostbusters: Afterlife.He most recently voiced the dog Gus in the R-rated comedyStrays.
For Hauser, the role of Farley seems destined, as he toldTHRin 2021 that he had a desire to portray the comedian and had even talked to Farley’s family about the idea. Hauser is best known for his roles in the filmsI, Tonya, BlacKkKlansman,andRichard Jewell.The latter is considered Hauser’s breakout performance, for which he received critical acclaim. Since then, he has gone onto star in the Apple TV+ miniseriesBlack BirdalongsideTaron Egerton,for which he also recieved critical praise and won a Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award. He will voice Embarassment in the upcoming filmInside Out 2.
No release window for the Farley biopic has been set. Stay tuned to Collider for more information.
