17 votes

Daniel Radcliffe to star in comedic ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic biopic for Roku

21 comments

  1. [6]
    TheRtRevKaiser
    Link
    This makes me think they're parodying the biopic genre in Weird Al's biopic, which seems very fitting.

    Per the film’s official description: “The biopic holds nothing back, exploring every facet of Yankovic’s life, from his meteoric rise to fame with early hits like ‘Eat It’ and ‘Like a Surgeon’ to his torrid celebrity love affairs and famously depraved lifestyle. ‘WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story’ takes audiences on a truly unbelievable journey through Yankovic’s life and career, from gifted child prodigy to the greatest musical legend of all time.”

    This makes me think they're parodying the biopic genre in Weird Al's biopic, which seems very fitting.

    10 votes
    1. [5]
      TheJorro
      Link Parent
      What? I've never heard a single peep of any of this over the decades. Any big examples?

      his torrid celebrity love affairs and famously depraved lifestyle.

      What? I've never heard a single peep of any of this over the decades. Any big examples?

      1. [4]
        balooga
        Link Parent
        That's what makes it a parody, to my knowledge Weird Al has a quiet, scandal-free personal life.

        That's what makes it a parody, to my knowledge Weird Al has a quiet, scandal-free personal life.

        7 votes
        1. TheRtRevKaiser
          Link Parent
          Yeah this is the line that signaled to me that this whole thing is going to be a parody of the typical rockstar biopic. Weird Al is a pretty straight-laced guy and from the article it seems like...

          Yeah this is the line that signaled to me that this whole thing is going to be a parody of the typical rockstar biopic. Weird Al is a pretty straight-laced guy and from the article it seems like he's very involved in the project.

          4 votes
        2. [2]
          TheJorro
          Link Parent
          Your comment is actually the first time I've actually seen signalled that this is supposed to be a satirical biopic, not a straight one. I only found Engadget reporting it as a "mockumentary",...

          Your comment is actually the first time I've actually seen signalled that this is supposed to be a satirical biopic, not a straight one. I only found Engadget reporting it as a "mockumentary", ever other article I find from a quick search doesn't seem to report this up front at all (including the one linked here).

          That line makes more sense now, I guess, but up until now I thought this was going to be a genuine biopic.

          2 votes
          1. teaearlgraycold
            Link Parent
            The PR guys might be hoping for a bit of shock factor among unwitting audiences.

            The PR guys might be hoping for a bit of shock factor among unwitting audiences.

            1 vote
  2. babypuncher
    Link
    Yes! Double yes! Oh...

    Daniel Radcliffe to star

    Yes!

    in comedic ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic biopic

    Double yes!

    for Roku

    Oh...

    4 votes
  3. [2]
    lou
    Link
    Love Radcliffe! He was great in Lord of the Rings.

    Love Radcliffe! He was great in Lord of the Rings.

    5 votes
    1. balooga
      Link Parent
      No, you're thinking of Elijah Wood. This is the guy who played the roommate in Scott Pilgrim.

      No, you're thinking of Elijah Wood. This is the guy who played the roommate in Scott Pilgrim.

      5 votes
  4. [13]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [12]
      Adys
      Link Parent
      I think I'm excited for that? Having a very hard time picturing DR as Weird Al though.

      I think I'm excited for that? Having a very hard time picturing DR as Weird Al though.

      1 vote
      1. [4]
        vord
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        This is completely on-brand for Weird Al. Weird Al is making this in complete Weird Al fashion. That description is just as tongue in cheek as his statement: The man is all about the schtick. I...

        This is completely on-brand for Weird Al. Weird Al is making this in complete Weird Al fashion. That description is just as tongue in cheek as his statement:

        “When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I’m very happy to say we’re on schedule. And I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film. I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for,” Yankovic said in a statement.

        The man is all about the schtick. I expect to see Radcliff in a bad wig and nothing else.

        9 votes
        1. [2]
          hamstergeddon
          Link Parent
          I half expected it to star Weird Al as himself with zero attempt to de-age him. Just like this clearly older weird al playing himself as a child, but nobody acknowledges it.

          I half expected it to star Weird Al as himself with zero attempt to de-age him. Just like this clearly older weird al playing himself as a child, but nobody acknowledges it.

          5 votes
          1. balooga
            Link Parent
            Wearing a novelty mustache and comically large eyeglasses the entire time.

            Wearing a novelty mustache and comically large eyeglasses the entire time.

            3 votes
      2. [7]
        AugustusFerdinand
        Link Parent
        I'm excited for the movie, I don't know if I'm excited for Daniel Radcliffe as Weird Al, but I don't get a say in the matter so we'll see how it goes. Radcliffe is also 7" shorter than Weird Al,...

        I'm excited for the movie, I don't know if I'm excited for Daniel Radcliffe as Weird Al, but I don't get a say in the matter so we'll see how it goes.

        Radcliffe is also 7" shorter than Weird Al, so it'll be interesting seeing how they handle that with costars. From a looks and mannerisms standard I think Jim Carrey would have been a better choice.

        1. [3]
          TheRtRevKaiser
          Link Parent
          I really feel like they're going to be taking the piss out of the rockstar biopic in this movie. I feel like the DR casting is part of the joke. I'm not getting the impression that this is...

          I really feel like they're going to be taking the piss out of the rockstar biopic in this movie. I feel like the DR casting is part of the joke. I'm not getting the impression that this is genuinely going to be a straightforward biography of Weird Al.

          4 votes
          1. [2]
            lou
            Link Parent
            Why is that a joke? He's a terrific actor.

            Why is that a joke? He's a terrific actor.

            1. TheRtRevKaiser
              Link Parent
              Don't get me wrong, I'm not casting aspersions on Radcliffe with this. I more meant that the casting might be part of a larger parody of the biopic genre. I genuinely don't know, though.

              Don't get me wrong, I'm not casting aspersions on Radcliffe with this. I more meant that the casting might be part of a larger parody of the biopic genre. I genuinely don't know, though.

              3 votes
        2. [3]
          Thrabalen
          Link Parent
          Jim Carrey and Weird Al have virtually nothing in common... Carrey has made his career on his rubber-faced shtick, and Al has made his on the flexibility of his voice and musical range. The energy...

          Jim Carrey and Weird Al have virtually nothing in common... Carrey has made his career on his rubber-faced shtick, and Al has made his on the flexibility of his voice and musical range. The energy is about all they have in common.

          1 vote
          1. [2]
            AugustusFerdinand
            (edited )
            Link Parent
            Energy, looks, height, talent. While Jim Carrey is mostly known for comedies, to imply that he's all shtick is to ignore his dramatic roles such as Truman and Kaufman. What does Radcliffe have in...

            Energy, looks, height, talent. While Jim Carrey is mostly known for comedies, to imply that he's all shtick is to ignore his dramatic roles such as Truman and Kaufman.

            What does Radcliffe have in common with Yankovic exactly, outside of both being in made-for-tv D movies?

            1 vote
            1. Thrabalen
              Link Parent
              Oh, I don't think Radcliffe is right either. I can be against A without being for B. But if we're fantasy casting, going with someone who has little physical resemblance and no vocal resemblance...

              Oh, I don't think Radcliffe is right either. I can be against A without being for B. But if we're fantasy casting, going with someone who has little physical resemblance and no vocal resemblance is setting the bar low, in my opinion.

              1 vote