From the director of The Hangover

A new film about wild comic John Belushi is in the works, developed by The Hangover director Todd Philips.

Warner Bros acquired rights to the comedian’s life story from his estate, so the final script – by The Pursuit of Happyness screenwriter Steven Conrad – is likely to be more sympathetic than the 1989 biopic Wired.

That earlier film was based on Bob Woodward's biography of the same name and publicly boycotted by Belushi’s friends and family. In contrast, Belushi’s widow, Judith will be an executive producer on the new project.

No one has yet been lined up to play Belushi –  who died of a drug overdose in 1982 at age 33 – but trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter has tipped such names as Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen.

Published: 12 Aug 2010