Jack Huston, known for his acting work in Boardwalk Empire and American Hustle, has been tapped to direct a biopic centered on Joseph Merrick, the deformed Victorian-era artist known as The Elephant Man.
Phoenix Pictures is backing the movie, titled "Joseph Merrick", which will be produced by Kate Cohen, Mike Medavoy and David Dobkin. Huston will also produce.
Production is looking to begin later this year.
Merrick was an object of fascination during his life, and his story resonated beyond his lifetime.
He was a man who was incredibly deformed and was used as a circus freak while a teenager before becoming an object of curiosity in London society as well as scientific circles, but he was also an artist whose work broke beyond the limits of his sometimes confined life.
David Lynch directed an Oscar-nominated biopic that starred John Hurt in 1980, titled "The Elephant Man".
Merrick also appeared in countless books, shows, plays, and even an opera.
According to the producers, the biopic will offer a fresh and deeply emotional perspective on Merrick’s remarkable life, illuminating the untold story behind the legend. Nick Yarborough wrote the script.
“I’ve long been fascinated by the life of Joseph Merrick — marked by unimaginable adversity, yet defined by his profound kindness, perseverance and strength,” said Huston in a statement. “His journey is a testament to what we are capable of when we choose love and compassion over cruelty and indifference. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to explore the lesser-known parts of Joseph’s astonishing life, and I’m honored to have the chance to collaborate with such a passionate and dedicated team.”
The project will look at Merrick’s final months, and, according to the producers, explore his transformative journey and the unexpected, life-altering relationships he forms along the way. As Merrick discovers moments of true connection and humanity, the film will shine a light on the profound, often overlooked aspects of his experience, challenging what audiences think they know about his life and legacy.
Medavoy added, “This project has been a labor of love for all of us, and we’ve been relentless in our search for the right filmmaker to bring Joseph Merrick’s story to life. From the moment I saw Jack Huston’s Day of the Fight, I knew he was the perfect choice to tell the story. Among the many things that have excited me is that the way Jack sees this story reminds me of Milos Forman when we made One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. I couldn’t be more thrilled about the poetry, wit, and feeling of human empathy that he will bring to this.”
Huston, who also starred in "Fargo" (season four) and "House of Gucci", will next be seen in the upcoming series "Spider-Noir" with Nicolas Cage.
He made his directorial debut with "Day of the Fight", a boxing drama he also wrote and on which he was a producer.
The movie premiered at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival and went on to win numerous awards for Huston throughout its festival run.
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