Just when you think the rock biopic well has run dry, with studios eagerly snatching up the life rights to just about everyone who has released a hit song in the previous five decades, Paramount lands the Bee Gees.
That’s right, according to Deadline, Paramount is teaming up with producer Graham King for an upcoming biopic about the incredibly influential pop trio that found popularity in the ‘70s thanks to the film “Saturday Night Fever.” King is probably best known, at least recently, as the producer of the biggest rock biopic of all-time, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which would go on to earn almost $900 million worldwide. So, Paramount is hoping lightning can strike twice.
And if we had to take a guess, then the success of “Bohemian Rhapsody” is actually a pretty great predictor for the upcoming Bee Gees biopic. Much like Queen, the Bee Gees have a string of iconic songs that have stood the test of time and are staples at karaoke bars around the world. Hits like “Stayin’ Alive,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “Night Fever,” “How Deep is Your Love,” and “Too Much Heaven” are just a small sample of the songs that are some of the biggest hits of the era.
Paramount recently found success, though not at the same level of ‘Rhapsody,’ with the studio’s release of “Rocketman.” Though a bit more artistic and stylish than the Bryan Singer-directed Queen biopic, the Elton John film has received rave reviews and has some moderate awards season buzz. Obviously, the studio is thinking that the Bee Gees can carry the box office load based on their song catalog alone.
No word on when this film might get made or who will play the three leads, let alone direct the film. Needless to say, however, this is a film that is likely going to be a huge success if the studio and Graham King follow the path led by “Bohemian Rhapsody.”