SNL favourite and upcoming Suicide Squad star Pete Davidson will portray punk legend Joey Ramone in an upcoming Netflix biopic on the singer’s life.
News of the casting and upcoming film, I Slept With Joey Ramone, coincides with the 20th anniversary of Ramone’s death, with the influential muso passing away in 2001 following a battle with lymphoma.
Produced by STXfilms, the biopic will be based on a 2009 memoir of the same name by Ramone’s brother, Mickey Leigh, and will be director Jason Orley, who Davidson recently worked with for his Alive From New York special and drama/comedy Big Time Adolescence.
The memoir itself chronicles the life of The Ramones’ frontman through the eyes of Leigh.
“When you share a bed with someone – and not just a bed, but a childhood, a family, and a lifetime – you know that person better than anybody else,” STXfilms Motion Picture Group Chairman Adam Fogelson said.
“Mickey Leigh not only collaborated with his big brother’s band – he has irreplaceable memories of and insights into Joey Ramone, having supported him when no one else would and witnessed him overcome adversity in the most dramatic way.
“I Slept With Joey Ramone is a great rock anthem that will make an equally great rock biopic, set apart by a universal story of family. Pete is perfect for this role and we’re excited he and Jason will be bringing this icon of rock to life and thrilled to be collaborating once again with our friends at Netflix.”
I Slept With Joey Ramone is being made the cooperation and support Joey Ramone’s Estate.
