Yeah, Andre Benjamin (better known as Andre 3000 by Outkast fans) played Jimi Hendrix in the indie film, “Jimi: All Is By My Side,” but you know Hollywood just can’t have just one biopic of a legend. Hollywood is giving us variety by giving us the news that Anthony Mackie will play the guitar legend in a brand new film.
According to IndieWire, reports from Cannes say that Mackie will star in “Jimi,” a biopic about the last nine days in Hendrix’s life. Noomi Rapace is in negotiations to star as Hendrix’s girlfriend, Kathy Etchingham. Thandie Newton will star opposite Mackie in an unspecified role.
IndieWire states that the film has been in development for years and was originally going to be directed by Paul Greengrass, but the production fell through when Hendrix’s estate found out about the plot’s focus on Hendrix’s last days of life. Suffice it to say, they didn’t like it. But perhaps the issue has been taken care of, since the film is now back on track.
“Jimi” will have some stiff competition: “Jimi: All Is By My Side” was generally well liked by audiences and critics, even without Hendrix’s music being allowed to be used in the biopic. Even though one film is about the early years of Hendrix’s career and the other is about the end, there will surely be some comparisons coming very soon.
What do you think about Mackie playing Hendrix? Talk about it in the comments section below.
