Few ’90s bands have as devoted a fanbase as Sublime. Now, the Long Beach, California ska band will get a biopic all about the band’s rise to fame and the tragic passing of its frontman, Bradley Nowell.
EW reports that “The Hunger Games” director Francis Lawrence will helm the upcoming film, with “Ozark” showrunner Chris Mundy on board to pen the script. Surviving Sublime members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson will executive produce the movie alongside Troy and Jakob Nowell, Bradley’s widow and son.
“Wow — we can’t believe this is finally happening and we couldn’t be more honored and excited to have the great Francis Lawrence and Chris Mundy telling our story,” the four executive producers said in a statement. Sublime’s ex-manager Dave Kaplan followed up on their comments. “We’re thrilled Sublime’s insanely cool and important story will finally be told,” Kaplan said. “They were fearless and pioneering in bringing together so many musical genres, cultures, and lifestyles during their short time as a band, and their music is still influencing musicians and artists to this day.”
Founded in 1988, Sublime rose to fame out of Long Beach, California, thanks to their unique, genre-blending mix of rock, punk, ska, reggae, and wrap. The trio went from being a house band to burgeoning stardom until Nowell’s tragic heroin overdose in May 1996, two months before the release of their self-titled third album. That album hit #13 on the Billboard charts, with the single “What I Got” becoming a #1 hit song for the band.
Hard-partying and fun-loving, Sublime’s story deserves the big-screen treatment. No casting news for this movie yet, but expect updates on that front soon. But don’t expect this biopic in the near future: Lawrence has “The Hunger Games: A Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes” and his “Bioshock” movie for Netflix up next.