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By Michael Fleming
NEW YORK (Variety) - Standup comic-turned-actor Eddie Griffin ("Undercover Brother") is set to star in "Yes I Can," a feature about singer and Rat Pack member Sammy Davis (news) Jr.
Producer David Permut, who teamed with Griffin on the upcoming documentary/concert film "Dys-funk-tional Family," has acquired rights to Davis' life through his widow Altovise Davis. Permut has optioned the Davis memoirs "Yes I Can" and "Why Me?," which were written by the singer and Jane and Burt Boyar.
"Eddie was born to play this role," said Permut, who'll look to align a filmmaker before hooking a financier. "Like Sammy, he is enormously talented, and he dances and sings."
Permut is now in talks to enlist Oscar-winning songwriter Leslie Bricusse, who wrote some of Davis' best known tunes, including "Candy Man," "What Kind of Fool Am I?" and "Once in a Lifetime."
Born into showbiz as the son of a dancer, Davis grew up in an atmosphere of racism. He broke down barriers to become one of the first black entertainers to flourish in Las Vegas, helped by his close association with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Joey Bishop (news). Davis also recovered from a near fatal accident in which he lost an eye.
"Everyone else has mentioned Sammy in their autobiographies and films," said Altovise Davis, who will serve as an associate producer. "Now, his story, as told by him, will come to life and all of the misconceptions that people have regarding him will be cleared up. He was a great, caring man, who was always on the frontline fighting inequities."
Griffin, who toplined the 2002 comedy "Undercover Brother" and co-starred in "Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo," first worked with Permut in "Double Take." They followed by teaming on "Dys-funk-tional Family," which Miramax will release March 21. The picture combines Griffin's standup comedy with a George Gallo-directed documentary about the members of the Kansas City family who informed his comic routines.
Griffin, who recently wrapped "My Baby's Mama," is poised to reprise his role as the pimp in the "Deuce Bigalow" sequel now being developed. Griffin is currently shooting "Blast!" in South Africa. |
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