Rob Zombie Steps Away From Horror Genre To Direct Biopic On Comedy Legend

US musician-turned director Rob Zombie has surprised many with the announcement that he will step away from his usual horror-themed film projects to work on a new biopic based on a comedy legend. 

According to Deadline, Zombie will commence work on a film based on famous 1930's film and TV star, Groucho Marx of family comedy act, the Marx Brothers.

The film is to focus on the remaining final years of Marx' life and based on the memoir written by his personal secretary and archivist Steve Stoliar, Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho's House.

While Zombie does seem to be an odd choice for the project, the 50-year-old artist reevealed he is a massive Marx fan. 

"I have been a huge Groucho Marx fan ever since I was a child and have read countless book on the comic legend, but after reading the book Raised Eyebrows, a totally new perspective on Groucho’s life emerged," Zombie said. 

"I immediately saw this project as Groucho’s Sunset Boulevard and knew I had to bring it to the big screen. It is a sad, funny and very dark tale of a one of Hollywood’s greatest stars final years."

A screenplay has been written and production is expected to commence shortly. 

It will mark Zombie's first project outside of the horror genre, with his latest crowdfunded film, 31, expected to be released next year.