Russell Crowe To Direct Bill Hicks Biopic

Movie Russell Crowe by Joey Paur

Russell Crowe is set to make his directorial debut with a new film based on the life of comedian Bill Hicks. This is an interesting movie for the actor who really isn't known for his humor. I'm not even sure if Crowe has a sense of humor! But it looks like he's going to tap into his funnybone and try something new, which is pretty cool. 

Crowe has teamed up with an old schoolmate of his named Mark Staufer to work on the film. Staufer actually wrote the script for the movie, and here's what he had to say about it in a statement,

Bill Hicks life is tragically short, but spectacularly interesting. The screenplay has gone through a number of drafts and we'll go into production early next year.

At one point Crowe was rumored to be starring in the movie, but he's only going to be directing it. This will be his first time directing a feature film. They are currently on the hunt to find an actor to play Hicks. Staufer said,

It is a huge role for someone, made all the more special, or downright scary, by the fact the director is an Oscar-winning actor like Russell.

Hick's is a comedian know for his dark humor, and he passed away of pancreatic cancer at the age of 32 in 1994. Here's a little information on Hicks and his style.

He was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, and musician. His material largely consisted of general discussions about society, religion, politics, philosophy, and personal issues. Hicks' material was often controversial and steeped in dark comedy. In both his stand-up performances and during interviews, he often criticized consumerism, superficiality, mediocrity, and banality within the media and popular culture, describing them as oppressive tools of the ruling class, meant to "keep people stupid and apathetic".

Hicks' style was a play on his audience's emotions. He expressed anger, disgust, and apathy while addressing the audience in a casual and personal manner, which he likened to merely conversing with his friends. His material was less focused on the everyday banalities of life and placed greater emphasis on philosophical themes of existence. He would invite his audiences to challenge authority and the existential nature of "accepted truth."

Crowe is currently shooting Darren Aronofsky's Noah, and he'll get to this movie when he's done with that. What do you think about Crowe directing this biopic?

 

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