André 3000 to Play Jimi Hendrix in Biopic Even Though a Hologram Would Do the Work for Free
OutKast frontman André 3000 (né Benjamin) has now been officially confirmed to portray Jimi Hendrix in a feature film about the late rocker's life that will either be really, intimidatingly cool or, oh my gosh, so embarrassing and awful.
According to the Irish Film & Television Network (the filming will take place in Ireland), it is believed the movie, titled "All Is By My Side" will cover Hendrix's life from 1966 to 1967.
Hendrix was first discovered at a club in New York in 1966. He recorded his debut album Are You Experienced with his band The Jimi Hendrix Experience the next year.
A key factor in the film's success or failure will likely be whether it features any actual Hendrix music.
The Hendrix estate, run by the musician's stepsister Janie, has a history of blocking the use of his songs in films—a trend that has proven the kiss of death for several other proposed Hendrix biopics. This one, for instance, has been "in the works" for several years.
It's unknown whether the estate has finally agreed to license Hendrix songs for the movie, or whether the filmmakers intend to work around that minor huge issue.
Principal photography is slated to begin in Ireland in three weeks, so, if André 3000 told you he would come to your parents' anniversary party next month, that was a lie.
If this film proves half as engaging as his Gillette commercial, I'm all over it.
[Irish Film & Television Network via The Guardian // Images via Getty]