Pass The Popcorn: Soulsville's Tale To Be Told In Upcoming Stax Records Biopic 'Respect Yourself'
The immortal tale of Stax Records is slated to be adopted to the silver screen from Robert Gordon's quintessential printed Memphis Soul chronicle Respect Yourself. According to Billboard, the project is being spearheaded by Evergreen Media Group with 20 Feet From Stardom director Morgan Neville signed on to produce the film. No word on a director yet, nor whether the rights to the music have been secured, but it could hardly be argued that a proper big screen treatment is long overdue.
As it was previously reported, the Stax story has been struggling to make its way to Broadway, but it appears that those at the reigns are attempting bring a musical to life in tandem to a definitive film treatment, giving Soulsville's storied past the lush duet it deserves. With the rights to their immense catalogue of foundational recordings still being procured, it remains to be seen whether we'll be getting a full score, but it is at least promising to see the wheels turning on this one. We'll be sure to bring you the latest on the label that brought us Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Albert King, The Bar Kays, William Bell and a laundry list of cherished luminaries; forefathers and mothers of our beloved tradition.