The Jimi Hendrix biopic, “All Is By My Side,” is set to release in early 2013 at Sundance and then in theaters a few months later. Sean McKittrick, the producer speaks highly on the acting abilities of Andre, telling Rolling Stone “Andre has been Jimi for four months now. He speaks and walks like Jimi. He dropped a ton of weight. The transformation has been amazing.”
Andre 3000 won’t need to perform or record any Hendrix music, though. The Experience Hendrix LLC, run by Jimmy’s sister Janie, released a statement explaining they’ve “made it known many times in the past that no such film, were it to include original music or copyrights created by Jimi Hendrix, can be undertaken without its full participation.” Mr. McKittrick, however, has different plans for the biopic.
Since the film is slated to cover the come-up of the virtuoso, there’s no need for any of the Hendrix personal catalogue. The film will focus on the early life and stories about Hendrix, including the famous jam sessions with Cream and Clapton and covers of The Beatles and Muddy Waters. McKittrick explained his reasoning for not including the musical genius’ full life story: “That would be like making a movie about Kurt Cobain…We all know how that story ends.”
Don’t worry Andre 3000 fans, there will still be a plethora of fresh covers from the psychedelic 60’s and 70’s to be feasted upon with your ears. Andre will be seen and heard singing “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Wild Thing,” “Hound Dog,” Muddy Waters’ “Mannish Boy,” “Bleeding Heart” and a slew of other heart pounding covers.
Andre 3000 will be the consummate Jimi Hendrix, or the closest thing to it on the big screen. When the film is finally released next spring, make sure you support and respect the true and everlasting influence of the Jimi Hendrix experience, and buy a ticket at your local theater.
Props: Rolling Stone
-Kevin Shea (@kevinnshea)
