Lionel Richie To Produce Biopic About Legendary Soul Singer Curtis Mayfield

Source: Wikipedia

Lionel Richie is set to produce a biopic on the iconic soul singer Curtis Mayfield.

In a report from Deadline, Richie acquired the rights to produce a feature on Mayfield from the Curtis Mayfield Estate. No details about the film including screenwriter, director, cast or release date, were announced.

READ: Curtis Mayfield's Son To Release Biography On Soul Singer's Life

"It's an honor for me to bring the life of one of my idols and friend to the screen," Richie said. "I'm so grateful to be working closely with Altheida Mayfield, Cheaa Mayfield, and the Curtis Mayfield Estate and couldn't be happier to be moving forward on this amazing project about a one-of-a-kind music genius."

"It's time to celebrate and re-evaluate Curtis' legacy," added Altheida Mayfield, the singer's widow. "For years, too many others have tried to claim what he alone did. He was a genius, always stood on his own."

Last year came the release of a biography on Mayfield's life. Written by his second oldest son Todd Mayfield, Traveling Soul: The Life of Curtis Mayfield offered a more intimate and personal recounting of the soul artist's life.

"In presenting his story through my eyes I have tried to tell it like it is and like it was, even when a crafted piece of public relations would have made him look better," Todd said.

The book also details Mayfield completing his final album, New World Order, after becoming a quadriplegic when stage lighting fell on him during a Brooklyn concert in 1990.

Source: deadline.com