Michael Fassbender to Star in Biopic about Irish Rap Group Kneecap

Irish actor Michael Fassbender is set to star in a biopic about an Irish rap group called Kneecap.

The feature film – eponymously named “Kneecap” after the band – is billed as a raucous anti-establishment comedy.

“Kneecap” stars real-life band members Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí as heightened versions of themselves.  They came to fame in 2018 for their blend of nationalist Irish rap which often dealt with the gritty reality of growing up in Northern Ireland after the civil conflict known as the Troubles. 

The movie is written and directed by “One Rogue Reporter” helmer Rich Peppiatt, who has also directed a music video for the band.

“For those who already know Kneecap as musicians, I promise this will be a film true to their hedonistic and anarchic soul. And for those who haven’t yet heard of Kneecap, well, buckle up…,” Peppiatt said back in May.

The project is a co-production between Mother Tongues Films and Fine Point Films, with Mother Tongues’ Jack Tarling and Fine Point’s Trevor Birney producing. Wildcard’s Patrick O’Neill is co-producer. 

It is also being financed by the BFI (via National Lottery funding), Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, TG4, and Northern Ireland Screen, in association with Great Point Media and Curzon.

French sales agent Charades are repping international sales; Curzon and Wildcard are handling U.K. and Irish distribution. Sales are launching at AFM.

Fassbender was cast before the SAG-AFTRA strike.