Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is an upcoming American biographical comedy film directed by Eric Appel from a screenplay he co-wrote with the film's subject, "Weird Al" Yankovic. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Yankovic, with Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn Wilson, Toby Huss, and Julianne Nicholson in supporting roles. It is set to be released in the fall of 2022 on The Roku Channel.

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
Directed byEric Appel
Written by
Produced by
  • "Weird Al" Yankovic
  • Mike Farah
  • Joe Farrell
  • Whitney Hodack
  • Tim Headington
  • Lia Buman
  • Max Silva
Starring
CinematographyRoss Riege
Production
companies
Distributed byThe Roku Channel
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Cast
Radcliffe in 2013
Yankovic in 2012
Daniel Radcliffe portrays "Weird Al" Yankovic

Production

In 2010, Funny or Die released a fake trailer for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, a biographical drama film directed by Eric Appel and starring Aaron Paul as musician "Weird Al" Yankovic.[1] Additional co-stars in the three-minute trailer included Yankovic, Olivia Wilde, Gary Cole, Mary Steenburgen, and Patton Oswalt.[2] On January 18, 2022, a real film of the same name was announced with Daniel Radcliffe set to star in the title role. The film was directed and executive produced by Appel from a screenplay he co-wrote with Yankovic.[3] In a statement, Appel said jokingly, "When Weird Al first sat me down against my will and told me his life story, I didn't believe any of it, but I knew that we had to make a movie about it."[1] According to Radcliffe, his appearance on The Graham Norton Show in November 2010, in which he sung Tom Lehrer's "The Elements" in front of Colin Farrell and Rihanna, was the reason for his casting: "I guess Al saw that and was like, 'This guy maybe gets it.' And so he picked me."[4] Paul was set to cameo in the film, but had come down with COVID-19 during the filming period and could not participate.[5]

Principal photography began on February 10, 2022, in Los Angeles.[6][7] In March, Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn Wilson, Toby Huss, and Julianne Nicholson were confirmed to star.[8] Radcliffe finished shooting his scenes after sixteen days on March 4.[9] Filming wrapped on March 8, 2022, after an eighteen-day shoot.[10]

Release

The film is scheduled to be released on The Roku Channel.[1]

References
  1. Grobar, Matt (January 18, 2022). "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story: Daniel Radcliffe To Portray Grammy Winner In Roku Biopic From Funny Or Die & Tango". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  2. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Funny or Die. June 25, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2022 – via YouTube.
  3. Galuppo, Mia (January 18, 2022). "Daniel Radcliffe to Play 'Weird Al' Yankovic in Biopic". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  4. Gajewski, Ryan (March 19, 2022). "Daniel Radcliffe Says He Landed 'Weird Al' Role Due to Novelty Song He Performed for Rihanna". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  5. Eisenberg, Eric (April 14, 2022). "Aaron Paul Was Supposed To Be A Surprise Addition To The Weird Al Movie, But Explains Why He Had To Bow Out At The Last Second". CinemaBlend. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  6. Heller, Corinne (February 18, 2022). "Daniel Radcliffe Is Unrecognizable as 'Weird Al' Yankovic in Biopic Transformation". E! Online. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  7. "Weird Al" Yankovic [@alfredyankovic] (February 10, 2022). "So excited – it's DAY #1 on the set of #WEIRDTheAlYankovicStory!". Retrieved February 20, 2022 – via Instagram.
  8. Kreps, Daniel (March 2, 2022). "See Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna in First Look Photo From 'Weird Al' Yankovic Biopic". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  9. "Weird Al" Yankovic [@alfredyankovic] (March 4, 2022). "SHOOT DAY #16: Well, we've got a couple more days left to go, but ladies and gentlemen... that is a WRAP on Mr. Radcliffe! Wait till you see him in this. He's even more like me than I am. #WEIRDTheAlYankovicStory". Retrieved March 4, 2022 – via Instagram.
  10. Shaunette, Morgan (March 9, 2022). "Weird Al Yankovic Shares Photo Celebrating the Final Day of Shooting His Biopic". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
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