A new music biopic about Sublime is now in the works. The rock band, which rose to fame during the 1990s, will reportedly be the subject of a new feature film from Sony Pictures. Per Deadline, Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games) is also on board to direct. Chris Mundy (Ozark) is penning the screenplay.
The film is a collaboration between Sony’s 3000 Pictures, Chernin Entertainment, about:blank, Dave Kaplan, and Peter Paterno. Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and David Ready are producing for Chernin Entertainment alongside Lawrence for about:blank, Kaplan for Surfdog/DKM, and Paterno for KHPS. Executive producing are Sublime band members Bud Gaugh, Eric Wilson, Troy Nowell, and Jakob Nowell on behalf of Bradley Nowell’s estate. Scott Seine will also executive produce for Surfdog/DKM alongside Cameron MacConomy for about:blank.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
A joint statement about the film signed by Sublime’s Gaugh and Wilson, along with Bradley’s widow, Troy Nowell, and son Jake, read: “Wow — we can’t believe this is finally happening, and we couldn’t be more honored and excited to have the great Francis Lawrence and Chris Mundy telling our story. We are so grateful to Peter Paterno and Dave Kaplan/Surfdog for their years of persistence and vision in getting this film going and thankful to Sony’s 3000 Pictures and Chernin Entertainment for believing in us and getting it on the big screen. We know Bradley’s talent and spirit will be part of this incredible journey.”
Kaplan added, “We’re thrilled Sublime’s insanely cool and important story will finally be told. They were fearless and pioneering in bringing together so many musical genres, cultures and lifestyles during their short time as a band, and their music is still influencing musicians and artists to this day. Peter Paterno and I spent the last six years searching for the right partners, and we are pinching ourselves with this ‘Dream Team’ of Elizabeth Gabler and Marisa Paiva at 3000 Pictures, Francis Lawrence, Chris Mundy and the Chernin folks and can’t wait to see this film get made.”
Sublime Is One of the Most Memorable Rock Groups of the 1990s
There weren’t many bands like Sublime, whose unique sound made them one of the most popular rock groups to follow in the 1990s. The Californian became established with such hit songs as “What I Got,” “Santeria,” and “Wrong Way,” among others. They had ultimately released three studio albums to sell more than 20 million albums worldwide.
Sadly, the rise of the band came to a halt seemingly just as quickly as it all began when vocalist/guitarist Bradley Nowell suddenly passed away in 1996. This was the result of a drug overdose that occurred one week after Nowell was married. The band’s third album would be released just two months after his death.
A release date has not yet been set for the Sublime biopic. There also has not yet been any casting information announced so it’s unclear who will be playing the various band members at this time.
