Alfred Matthew also known by his stage name Weird Al Yankovic is an actor, record producer, musician, and singer making a name for himself one of the biggest names in parody music will be getting his own biopic “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.” Yankovic will be writing for the new movie that will detail his journey to stardom with the help of writer/director Eric Appel and the lead actor playing Yankovic, Daniel Radcliff.
Actor Daniel Radcliff is best known for his early breakout performance as Harry Potter in the “Harry Potter” movie franchise and has branched out starring in the TBS comedy series “Miracle Workers.” Following the announcement of the new project, Yankovic released a statement saying, “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.”
“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” is billed as a Roku Original movie from Tango and Funny Or Die that will stream exclusively on the Roku Channel. Appel will join Yankovic on the new venture following his previous work with the parody polka artist who helmed a short film under the same name over 10 years ago with Funny Or Die.
Yankovic made a statement on the new project saying, “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.” The movie will cover his rise to fame as the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time being a five-time Grammy winner.
Yankovic made history with his 2014 album ‘Mandatory Fun’ that was the first comedy album in history that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. He has continued his legacy being one of three artists to land top 40 hits in each of the last 40 years with the other stars being Madonna and Michael Jackson that Yankovic has also parodied over the years.
The movie will be true in biopic form that will explore every facet of Yankovic’s life starting with his childhood, transitioning into a young budding artist, experiencing his rise in fame with early hits, torrid celebrity love affairs, and famously depraved lifestyle according to Yankovic. He might be known for his music but has also worked as an actor as an extra in movies as well as voiceovers for popular animated series and movies. Production for the new movie will start February 2022 with plans to film in Los Angeles.