Colin Hanks, Diane Guerrero and Nelly Join The Upcoming BUDDY HOLLY Biopic CLEAR LAKE
Colin Hanks (Fargo), Diane Guerrero (Orange Is the New Black), and hip-hop artist Nelly are set to star in the upcoming Buddy Holly biopic Clear Lake, which will be directed by Bruce Beresford.
The film tells the story of how “Holly and other famous musicians of the late 1950s gave birth to rock ‘n’ roll while changing the trajectory of civil rights in America. The 22-year-old Holly tragically died in a plane crash outside Clear Lake, Iowa, on Feb. 3, 1959, along with Ritchie Valens, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson and pilot Roger Peterson.”
Hanks will take on the role of Norman Petty, Holly’s brilliant but often controlling manager and producer. Guerrero has been cast in the role of Holly’s wife, Maria Elena Holly. Nelly will play Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chuck Berry. They will join the previously cast Ruairi O’Connor, who is playing Holly.
BMG, which manages the Buddy Holly estate and controls the U.S. publishing rights to his catalog, is a producer on the movie. David Hirshland and Kathy Rivkin Daum are also producing on behalf of BMG. Maria Elena Holly, Stephen Easley (general counsel to Mrs. Holly and The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation) and Peter Bradley, Jr., of The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, were brought in as associate producers.
Source: Variety