COMIC Josh Gad’s upcoming biopic of the late Chris Farley has left fans enraged.
Josh, 37, will make his directorial debut from the story of the late Saturday Night Live comedian.
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On Friday, a package deal was shopped around Hollywood, according to Deadline.
In addition to the Frozen voice actor directing, SNL creator Lorne Michaels will produce through his Broadway Video studio, and I, Tonya actor Paul Walter Hauser will portray the comic.
Screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber will adapt Tanner Colby and Tom Farley Jr.’s biography, The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts.
A member of Chicago’s Second City Theatre, Chris, 33, joined the variety sketch show in 1990 before leaving five years later.
His success continued with comedic roles in Tommy Boy, Airheads, and Beverly Hills Ninja.
In December 1997, Chris’ life was cut short after spending a four-day drinking and drug binge, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The Airheads comic was found dead in his Chicago apartment.
Paul pitched his own movie about the star in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in May 2021.
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“Yeah, I wanted to do a Chris Farley movie where he’s in rehab for half of the film, and for the other half of the movie, he’s doing his SNL stuff and his movies,” Paul shared.
“I think I have a really great take on that story, but I’m trying to lose weight and I’m trying to redefine myself as a person of healthy choice-making and as an actor.”
THE BACKLASH
Critics took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and slammed the biopic news
“Why? Let him rest in peace. Hollywood wasn’t the greatest to him now you’re going to resurrect him with someone who doesn’t even have the personality or flow,” one critic ranted.
“Only ever saw dumb, slow, and quiet characters from Paul,” another critic trolled.
“I don’t know, man, some things should just be left alone,” a third critic blasted.
Chris Farley’s SNL RUN
Here are some hilarious skits Chris Farley appeared in during his run on Saturday Night Live:
In the ‘Zagat’s with Hank and Beverly Gelfand’ sketch, Adam Sandler and Chris played an elderly couple on the verge of madness.
Adam screamed at the top of his lungs while Chris’ Beverly reviewed restaurants.
In the ‘Lunch Lady Land,’ Chris dressed as a lunch lady with a hairnet and apron.
In ‘The Chris Farley Show,’ the comic played an awkward but well-meaning host who nervously interviewed famous stars, such as Paul McCartney and Jeff Daniels (Dumb and Dumber).
In ‘Matt Foley: Motivational Speaker,’ Chris screamed he was ‘in a van down by the river’ as he cracked up co-star David Spade and guest host Christina Applegate (Married With Children).
During the ‘Chippendales Audition,’ a topless Chris busted out the dance moves as he competed against the shirtless Patrick Swayze (Road House) for a spot at the striptease nightclub.
“Won’t be an easy task,” a fourth person wrote.
“I have no idea who this actor is. It’s a no for me,” a commentator chimed.
‘AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE’
Although fans are hesitant about the upcoming biopic, Chris’ family approves of the film.
On Saturday, Tom, the oldest of the comic’s four siblings, spoke to the Wisconsin Street Journal about the project.
Tom felt “confident in the vision shared” by the filmmakers.
Chris’ brother claimed it was “the right time” to adapt the book.
“They started shopping it around Hollywood this past week,” Tom said.
“And there was an immediate response.”
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