Image Credit: Owen Franken/CorbisThe tragically short life of comedian John Belushi is about to come to the big screen thanks to director Todd Phillips (The Hangover) and writer Steven Conrad (The Pursuit of Happyness), according to the Hollywood Reporter. The SNL alum, who starred in movies like Animal House and The Blues Brothers, became a comedy icon before succumbing to a drug overdose at age 33 — a dramatic arc tailor-made for biopic treatment. In fact, there’s already been a Belushi pic: The 1989 bomb Wired, starring Michael Chiklis. The movie, like the Bob Woodward biography it was based on, was savaged by critics and received coldly by Belushi’s family and friends.
But a new Belushi pic, with the late comic’s widow on board as an executive producer, brings a new chance to get his story right. Of course, it will also offer a potential tour de force role for the actor who plays the troubled funnyman. So who’s up for the task? THR lists a few viable candidates, like Zach Galifianakis (he’s 40, which might be too old), Jack Black (says he’s not interested), Jonah Hill, etc., but we’re more interested in hearing what you think, PopWatchers. Who should play John Belushi? Check out the classic SNL clip below for inspiration, and then give us your best casting ideas in the comments. READ FULL STORY »
