If you’re a fan of punk music, it’s basically impossible to not respect what The Ramones did in the ‘70s. The band basically invented the sound that would eventually be adopted by countless others across the world in the decades to follow. So, it was only a matter of time before we got a modern biopic about the band. And with “I Slept with Joey Ramone,” that’s exactly what STXfilms and Netflix are making.
According to Variety, STXfilms and Netflix are teaming up to produce and distribute a new rock biopic about The Ramones frontman, Joey Ramone, titled “I Slept with Joey Ramone.” And it appears the studios have already found the actor they want to bring the rock icon to life, as it is announced comedian Pete Davidson has landed the part. “I Slept with Joey Ramone” is based on the memoir of the same name from Joey Ramone’s brother, Mickey Leigh. And as you might expect, the musician’s estate has given its blessing to the new film.
“When you share a bed with someone — and not just a bed, but a childhood, a family, and a lifetime — you know that person better than anybody else,” Adam Fogelson, the chairman of STXfilms, said. “Mickey Leigh not only collaborated with his big brother’s band — he has irreplaceable memories of and insights into Joey Ramone, having supported him when no one else would and witnessed him overcome adversity in the most dramatic way. ‘I Slept with Joey Ramone’ is a great rock anthem that will make an equally great rock biopic, set apart by a universal story of family.”
Davidson is probably best known for his appearances on ‘SNL,’ which he’s been a cast member on for years now. Recently, he has started to make his transition into feature films, with roles in “Big Time Adolescence,” “The Dirt,” and the upcoming “The Suicide Squad.” But perhaps his biggest role to date was as the star of last year’s Judd Apatow dramedy, “The King of Staten Island.”
There’s no release date set for “I Slept with Joey Ramone,” but considering how respected and admired the frontman has been for decades, those are mighty big shoes to fill for Davidson. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles that sort of pressure.