Collider is reporting that Adam Pally (Happy Endings, Sonic the Hedgehog) is set to play Saturday Night Light legend John Belushi in a biopic of the comedian’s life. The film, to be directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) and written by Steve Conrad (Wonder), was originally set to star Broadway actor Alex Brightman but it seems that Brightman has moved on and Pally has taken the lead.
Collider also reports that Ike Barinholtz (Neighbors, The Mindy Project) will co-star as Belushi’s close friend and collaborator Dan Aykroyd while Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) will portray Belushi’s wife.
When we last heard of this project, it seemed like it had the blessings of Aykroyd and Belushi’s widow, Judith Belushi’s Pisano. No word on if they’re still on board with the production but you’d have to assume not much has changed aside from the central casting. As for why the lead actor has been swapped out, we have no idea. While Pally isn’t a huge star, Brightman is even less well-known to the general public (for now!). Collider wonders if perhaps producers needed a bigger name to secure funding. That’s a possible reason.
Whatever the reason, the movie made a smart choice with the selection of Pally. The dude has showcased his comedy chops in multiple movies and shows. He knows funny. That will be important since Belushi is considered one of the most important comics of all time. He also has a passing resemblance to Belushi, though he’ll have to pack on a few pounds and master Belushi’s mannerisms too. The challenge will be for Pally to dive into the personal troubles that plagued Belushi all his life. We all know how rough Belushi had it and how his addictions eventually lead to his death. So while Pally will definitely be highlighting Belushi’s comedic skills, he will also be digging into some pretty heavy, depressing things. Strap in, Adam.
This Belushi biopic is supposed to have a slew of famous cameos in it. Apparently the script calls for appearances from many of Belushi’s peers, including Lorne Michaels, Robin Williams and a bunch of SNL regulars. That means many actors and actresses are about to be cast as other comedic titans. Expect a lot more interesting casting choices in the near future. I mean, who do you cast to play Keith Richards? I’d say Johnny Depp but, honestly, he looks too old these days.
The hope is that this Belushi movie will be far, far better than Wired, the 80s film about Belushi that was met with universal disdain. That movie, starring Michael Chiklis, involved a deceased Belushi reviewing his life with a guardian angel. It was a huge, huge mess.