Director R.J. Cutler (The World According to Dick Cheney) and producer John Battsek (Searching for Sugar Man) are teaming up with Showtime for a feature-length documentary on comedian/actor John Belushi. The documentary is being made with the full cooperation of John Belushi’s widow, Judith Belushi Pisano. Commenting on the documentary, Belushi Pisano said, “John Battsek and I have been discussing the possibility of making this film for over a decade. I’m thrilled to finally embark upon that journey together with him and director RJ Cutler. Passion Pictures is poised to make the definitive documentary on John Belushi – a man who not only had a profound effect on the comedy landscape of America, but also made an indelible mark on the social fabric of his time which continues to reverberate today.”
Cutler and Battsek are producing, and Belushi’s long-time collaborate Sean Daniel will executive produce with Bill Couturie. Filming’s expected to begin this fall.
“Belushi was one of my very first heroes. At a time when film, television, and music were undergoing tectonic shifts within American culture, he was at the center of it all,” stated Cutler. “At that moment, he had the number one show on television, the number one film at the box office, and the number one record on the charts. We plan to explore his unique genius and how his creative influence is still making an impact to this moment.”
“This is a film I have wanted to make for many years as John was a great hero of mine. Having Judy cooperate for the first time on a feature documentary of his life is very special and means we know we will be making a truly authentic film,” commented Battsek. “We plan to assemble a deep and three-dimensional look into the life of a man of great complexity and talent who went on to become an American comedic icon.”
