Huey Lewis and The News is one of the great American rock and roll bands. They formed in 1979 and are a mix of two groups who were former rivals. They have enjoyed a highly successful career and are still together and thrilling audiences today. After nearly 40 years in the business, the music is as relevant as it was in the 1980s when the group experienced a career high with the album “Sports.” A biopic that gives fans a closer look into their personal and professional lives is likely to be a big hit with fans who still follow them. A 30th anniversary edition of the album was released in 2013. Here are some ideas of what the film would look like.
Storyline
The biopic would begin in 1979 and chronicle the events of the 1980s as two rival groups merged together to form the phenomenal band. Fans would get a solid picture of the relationships that existed prior to the merge and what happened in between. It would include their interactions with one another, sidelines into their personal lives with scenes that would tell us more about who they are as people and how the massive success of the group affected each of them. Three albums were released prior to “Sports” which came out in 1983. By the end of June, 1984, the album reached the top of the charts holding the number one position, then achieving a year end ranking of number two. This was the pivotal point for the group which reached mega fame in the same year internationally.
Struggles
The group self produced the album, but the Chrysalis record label was going through reorganization. Because of the internal conflicts the band kept the master tapes in reserve and limited their performances to small venues to get the new material out to the public while the label was resolving their issues. It took a while for them to get their act together, but when they did, the tapes were handed over and the “Sports” album was mastered and released for sale to the public. This in itself is a great story that contains tense and climactic moments.
Casting
Chris Hemsworth has the dashing good looks of a younger Huey Lewis. He would be a good candidate to play the role of Huey Lewis from the 1980s era. Jamie Bell from “The Adventures of Tintin” would be suitable for the role of Johnny Colla, famed saxophone, guitar and vocal contributor for the group. Steven Strait of “10,000 BC” could portray Bill gibson, drummer, percussionist and vocalist and Max Thierot of “Jumper” for Stef Burns, guitarist and vocalist for the group. The cast would be rounded out with the addition of Darren Cris of “Glee,” Skylar Astin from “Pitch Perfect,” John Patrick Amedori of “Dear White People” and Max Minghella of “Amadora” for the roles of John Pierce, Rob Sudduth, Marving McFadden and Johnnie Barmont.
Taylor Hackford, spouse of Helen Mirren is a seasoned director with success in the music biopic about the life of musician Ray Charles. He would understand the importance of bringing out specific aspects of the personal lives of the band members in addition to presenting the bigger picture. It’s time to highlight Huey Lewis and The News in a biopic that tells us more about their stories.
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